Federal Register #FAA-2026-7232

FAA Proposed Airworthiness Directive for CFM International CFM56-7B Engine Fan Blade Inspections

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the Department of Transportation, is proposing a new airworthiness directive for all CFM International CFM56-7B engines to address safety concerns following a fatal engine failure. - Government Buyer: - Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Aircraft Certification Service - OEM Highlight: - CFM International, S.A. is the sole OEM referenced for the CFM56-7B engine - Products/Services Requested: - Initial and repetitive ultrasonic or eddy current inspections of CFM56-7B engine fan blades for crack indications - Applies to 4,553 U.S.-registered engines - Inspections must follow updated procedures and expanded inspection areas per CFM Service Bulletin 721033, Revision 5, and CFM56-7B Engine Shop Manual, Revision 67 - Replacement of fan blades with eligible parts if cracks are detected - No specific part numbers or purchase quantities provided, as replacement is conditional upon inspection results - Notable Requirements: - Compliance with specific inspection intervals: initial inspection before 17,000 cycles since new or within 1,600 cycles since last inspection, then every 1,600 flight cycles - Only fan blades meeting updated eligibility criteria may be installed - Prohibition on installing non-compliant fan blades - Directive covers a comprehensive list of CFM56-7B engine variants - The directive is focused on inspection and conditional replacement, not on bulk procurement of parts

Description

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-26-01 for CFM56-7B engines, requiring initial and repetitive ultrasonic or eddy current inspections of certain fan blades for crack indications. The proposal includes updated inspection procedures and an expanded inspection area to address unsafe conditions related to fan blade cracks. Depending on inspection results, replacement with parts eligible for installation is required. Comments on this proposed AD must be received by August 31, 2026.

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