Latest news with #LEAP-1A
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Indian Express
US NTSB issues urgent safety recommendation on smoke risk from CFM engines on Boeing 737 Max jets; Air India Express, Akasa Air among engine users
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued an 'urgent safety recommendation' to mitigate the possibility of smoke entering the cockpit or cabin of Boeing 737 Max aircraft flying on LEAP-1B engines in case of engine damage. Air India Express and Akasa Air are prominent Indian airlines that operate the Boeing 737 Max aircraft equipped with LEAP-1B engines, which are manufactured by CFM International. The problem, however, may not be limited to the Boeing 737 Max jets, which have been under the scanner for the past few years over other safety concerns. The US transportation accident investigation body has also issued additional recommendations to evaluate the potential of the same problem with LEAP-1A and -1C engines. The LEAP-1A engine is one of the engine options for the Airbus A320neo aircraft, the main narrow-body workhorse for IndiGo and Air India. Smoke in the aircraft, specifically in the cockpit, could pose a potential safety hazard as it can impair the pilots' ability to operate the plane, particularly during critical flight phases like take-off and landing, according to industry insiders. The NTSB recommendations could require aviation regulators globally, including in India, to issue advisories to airlines and even mandate corrective action for engines, which is expected to be one involving system software upgrades in scores of aircraft. India's aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has so far not commented on the issue. Akasa Air and Air India Express have also not commented so far. In its 'urgent' recommendation to the US aviation regulator—the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—the NTSB has asked it to ensure that airlines inform pilots of aircraft equipped with LEAP-1B engines about the potential hazard of smoke entering the aircraft cockpit and cabin. In its probe into two such incidents, the NTSB found that the engine load reduction device (LRD)—a safety feature designed to reduce the severity of vibrations transmitted from a damaged engine to the airframe—can result in damage to the engine oil system. This could allow smoke from hot oil to enter the cockpit or passenger cabin through the plane's ventilation system. The NTSB also asked the FAA and European aviation regulator—European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)—to require all operators of the affected engines to incorporate software modifications being developed by CFM and Boeing. Usually, aviation regulators globally follow FAA and EASA's lead. Reacting to the NTSB's recommendations, a CFM spokesperson said: 'We are aligned with the NTSB's recommendations, and the work is already underway, in close partnership with our airframers, to enhance the capability of this important system.' CFM, a joint-venture of US-based GE Aerospace and France-based Safran, is a major aircraft engine manufacturer globally. Both the incidents investigated by the NTSB involved US carrier Southwest Airlines' Boeing 737 Max jets. In both incidents, which took place in 2023, bird strikes led to engine damage, which consequently led to smoke entering the cockpit in one case and the passenger cabin in the other. 'The recommendations stem from the NTSB's investigation into a December 2023 incident in which smoke entered the airplane after a bird was ingested into the left engine of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 shortly after departing New Orleans, Louisiana. The flight deck filled with what the crew described as 'acrid white smoke' so thick that the captain had difficulty seeing the instrument panel. The crew donned masks, were able to clear the smoke, and landed the airplane back in New Orleans. None of the crew or passengers were injured,' the NTSB said. A similar engine damage event occurred in March 2023 on another Southwest flight when vapour fog filled the passenger cabin after birds were ingested into the right engine shortly after departing Havana, Cuba. 'Concerned that flight crews operating these airplanes may not be fully aware of the potential hazard of an LRD smoke-related event along with the appropriate mitigation actions, the NTSB issued an urgent safety recommendation to the Federal Aviation Administration asking the agency to ensure that operators inform flight crews of airplanes equipped with the affected engines. Boeing has revised flight manuals for pilots detailing the steps to take to prevent smoke from entering the cockpit or cabin following an LRD activation,' the NTSB said. 'Once CFM International and Boeing complete the development and certification process for software modifications to the CFM International LEAP-1B engines, require all operators of airplanes equipped with CFM International LEAP-1B engines to incorporate the software modification developed…to prevent or limit the amount of smoke released into the cockpit or cabin after load reduction device activation,' the NTSP mentioned it is report. The NTSB further asked CFM and Boeing to work together to complete the development and certification process for the necessary software modification. It also asked the FAA and EASA to work with CFM, Airbus, and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China to 'determine if CFM International LEAP-1A or -1C engines are at risk of smoke in the cockpit or cabin as a result of load reduction device activation and require affected operators to incorporate any modification that results'. Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
Reuters
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Reuters
NTSB wants action on CFM LEAP-1B engines over smoke entering cockpit
WASHINGTON, June 18 (Reuters) - The National Transportation Safety Board issued an urgent safety recommendation Wednesday to address the possibility of smoke entering the cockpit or cabin of Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab or Airbus airplanes equipped with CFM International LEAP-1B engines. The NTSB also recommended evaluating the potential for the same issue with LEAP-1A and -1C engines. The recommendation comes after two incidents involving a Southwest Airlines (LUV.N), opens new tab 737 MAX in 2023. The NTSB wants the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that operators inform flight crews of airplanes equipped with the affected engines. CFM LEAP engines are used on variants of Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX. CFM, the world's largest engine maker by units sold, is co-owned by GE Aerospace (GE.N), opens new tab and Safran ( opens new tab.
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
StandardAero to provide maintenance, repair, overhaul support for SalamAir
StandardAero (SARO) is proud to announce its selection by SalamAir, Oman's low-cost carrier, to provide maintenance, repair & overhaul support for the CFM International LEAP-1A turbofan engines powering its fleet of Airbus (EADSY) A320neo family narrow body aircraft. StandardAero provides support for the next-generation CFM International LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine family from its 810,000 sq. ft. facility in San Antonio, TX, as a CFM LEAP Premier MRO provider, having signed the first non-airline CFM Branded Service Agreement in the Americas for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B in March 2023. Confident Investing Starts Here:
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
O man's Low-Cost Carrier SalamAir Selects StandardAero for CFM International LEAP-1A Engine Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul Support
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--StandardAero, a leading independent pure-play provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services, is proud to announce its selection by SalamAir, Oman's low-cost carrier, to provide maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) support for the CFM International LEAP-1A turbofan engines powering its fleet of Airbus A320neo family narrowbody aircraft. StandardAero provides support for the next-generation CFM International LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine family from its 810,000 sq. ft. facility in San Antonio, TX, as a CFM LEAP Premier MRO provider, having signed the first non-airline CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) in the Americas for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B in March 2023. Commenting on the announcement for SalamAir, Adrian Hamilton-Manns, SalamAir CEO said: 'At SalamAir, safety, operational reliability and cost-efficiency remain at the core of our strategy as we continue to expand and modernize our fleet. Partnering with StandardAero for LEAP-1A engine MRO support marks a significant step in ensuring the long-term performance and availability of our aircraft. We are confident in StandardAero's proven capabilities and technical expertise, and we look forward to a strong partnership that supports our growth and commitment to delivering dependable and affordable travel for our passengers across the region.' 'StandardAero is delighted to add SalamAir to the ever-growing list of operators around the world who have selected us to support their LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine support requirements,' said Olivier Ruffet, Vice President Sales EMEA & Lessors for StandardAero's Airlines & Fleet business unit. 'SalamAir joins LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B operators and asset managers from across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and the Asia-Pacific region who now rely on StandardAero for engine MRO. Our two companies share a common set of values, and we look forward to providing SalamAir with exceptional support based on our corporate commitment to continuous improvement, thus becoming the airline's most trusted MRO partner.' In addition to establishing MRO capability for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B at its San Antonio facility, StandardAero is also industrializing new engine component repairs for the LEAP family through its CRS team's network of locations, and its Repair Development Center of Excellence. To date, StandardAero's CRS team has industrialized more than 300 component repairs for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B. StandardAero also continues to grow its team of LEAP technicians through its in-house Aviation Mechanic Training Program, located at its San Antonio site's Training Academy. SalamAir currently operates a fleet of 13 Airbus A320/321 aircraft, with over 80 daily flights. In 2025, the airline will expand its fleet with two new aircraft scheduled for delivery in July 2025. SalamAir announced a 10-aircraft order in February 2025, aiming to grow its fleet to 25 aircraft by 2028. CFM International, the 50/50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines founded in 1974, has redefined international cooperation and helped change the course of commercial aviation. Today, CFM is the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines with a product line that sets the industry standard for efficiency, reliability, durability, and optimized cost of ownership for narrowbody aircraft. The company produces the LEAP and CFM56 families of engines, and supports LEAP and CFM56 fleets for more than 600 operators worldwide. StandardAero is a leading independent pure-play provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, serving the commercial, military and business aviation end markets. StandardAero provides a comprehensive suite of critical, value-added aftermarket solutions, including engine maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, on-wing and field service support, asset management and engineering solutions. StandardAero is an NYSE listed company under the ticker symbol SARO. For more information about StandardAero, go to
Arabian Post
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Arabian Post
Sanad and GE Aerospace Forge Path to Advance UAE's Aerospace Workforce
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Sanad, a global aerospace engineering and leasing solutions provider wholly owned by Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company, has partnered with GE Aerospace to bolster the UAE's aerospace talent pool. This collaboration aims to address the projected surge in global demand for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul professionals, with the sector expected to reach $169 billion by 2037. The partnership has led to the inauguration of the LEAP Engine MRO Center in Abu Dhabi, the first certified facility of its kind in the South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa region. This center is set to support over 450 LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines over an 11-year period, enhancing the UAE's capabilities in servicing next-generation aircraft engines. ADVERTISEMENT Sanad has invested over AED 100 million into its Abu Dhabi facility, expanding its state-of-the-art engine MRO capabilities. The center spans 5,000 square meters, contributing to a total of 30,000 square meters in Sanad's Abu Dhabi campus. This expansion not only augments the company's technical capabilities but also reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a leading global aviation hub. The collaboration with GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, formalized during the Paris Air Show in June 2023, has significantly expanded Sanad's MRO services to include the new-generation CFM International LEAP-1A and -1B engines. These engines, powering Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft, are recognized for their exceptional reliability and fuel efficiency. Sanad's LEAP Engine MRO Center began operations within a month of signing the agreement and successfully completed the MRO process on the first LEAP engine from flydubai just four months later. This rapid operationalization underscores Sanad's commitment to excellence and speed in establishing state-of-the-art MRO capabilities. The center is operated by a dedicated team of technical and engineering experts, utilizing cutting-edge MRO technologies. Sanad's engineers and technicians have undergone intensive training programs with GE Aerospace, equipping them with the skills required for tasks such as Rotor Drive System and Inlet Gear Box quick turnaround, borescope inspection, and general familiarization. This initiative not only ensures the operational efficiency of LEAP engines but also contributes to reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting engines outside the region for maintenance. By providing in-country solutions, the partnership aligns with the UAE's commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency. The LEAP engine's popularity has surged, with a backlog exceeding 10,000 engines, primarily due to its innovative design aimed at reducing carbon emissions in air transport. Sanad's enhanced capabilities position it to meet the growing demand for MRO services for the LEAP engine, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's status as a global aviation hub. In addition to the LEAP Engine MRO Center, Sanad has expanded its global partnerships, including a strategic agreement with Airbus to provide MRO services for engines powering Airbus single-aisle and wide-body aircraft. This collaboration further solidifies Sanad's position as a global partner of choice and a key player in the aerospace industry. Sanad's commitment to workforce development is evident in its focus on training and upskilling local talent. The company has established multi-tiered training programs to nurture local expertise, combining classroom training in aviation principles with hands-on experience in its facilities. This approach supports the UAE's broader goals of economic diversification and the development of a knowledge-based economy.
