An engine type fitted to a range of different business jets is the subject of an emergency airworthiness directive (EAD) on both sides of the Atlantic, due to the risk of low pressure turbine blade failure.
The engine – the Honeywell TFE731, from version -4 upward – is fitted to business jets including the Bombardier Learjet 40 and 45 and the Dassault Falcon 900.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has been notified of instances of turbine blade separations, and the EAD warns of a "casting anomaly" that may cause second-stage low pressure turbine blades to fail at the root. The directive makes clear that this appears to be in relation to a recent batch of blades, and so affects only those that have operated less than 250h since they were fitted new.
The EAD advises removal of the affected engines "before further flight".
Source: FlightGlobal.com
