The engine failure which caused one of British Midland's International Aero Engines (IAE) V2533-A5-powered Airbus A321-200s to return to London Heathrow on 15 May was caused by a sixth stage [high-pressure compressor] stator vane fracture resulting from an inclusion in the vane material.
The incident has prompted IAE to review inspection procedures during manufacture, re-introducing quality inspections which had been reduced this year to save costs. All the vanes produced for the V2500 have been cleared of the defect. The inclusion is believed to have been the first of its kind since the start of the programme.
Source: Flight International
