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The General Electric GEnx (General Electric
Next-generation) is an advanced dual rotor,
axial flow, high-bypass turbofan jet engine in
production by GE Aviation for the Boeing 787 and
747-8. The GEnx has replaced the CF6 in GE's
product line.
Last week, the NTSB sent an investigator to the
scene to gather information on the incident and
subsequently launched a full investigation into
the cause of the failure, led by NTSB
Investigator-in-Charge, Mr. David Helson.
On August 1, 2012, a team of experts from the
NTSB, FAA, Boeing and GE Aviation specializing
in engine systems and metallurgy traveled to a
GE facility in Cincinnati, OH to disassemble and
examine the failed GEnx engine. GE is the
manufacturer of the GEnx engine. The parties to
the investigation have been extremely
cooperative in assisting NTSB personnel in its
review and assessment.
As a result of the investigative work to date,
the NTSB has determined that a fan mid-shaft on
the failed GEnx engine fractured at the forward
end of the shaft, rear of the threads where the
retaining nut is installed. The fan mid-shaft is
undergoing several detailed examinations
including dimensional and metallurgical
inspections.
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