Southwest Completes Accelerated Inspection Program On CFM56-7B Engines

Southwest has completed the fan blade inspections on the CFM56-7B engines that power its Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 fleets. Southwest reports no additional findings of subsurface cracks at this time.

The inspections were part of an existing CFM56-7B engine inspection program that Southwest voluntarily accelerated.  As part of the existing Southwest Maintenance Program, all CFM56-7B engine blades receive recurring inspections at, or before, every 3,000 aircraft cycles or 5,000 hours, whichever occurs first.

The completed inspections meet and exceed all applicable FAA Airworthiness Directives, as well as the CFM56-7B Service Bulletins issued by the manufacturer.

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