GE Aerospace Joins Investigation into Jeju Air Crash

GE Aerospace Joins Investigation into Jeju Air Crash

GE Aerospace has become a key participant in the multinational investigation into the tragic crash of Jeju Air flight 7C2216, which resulted in 179 fatalities following an emergency belly landing on Sunday. The US-based aerospace giant, together with its French partner Safran, co-owns CFM International, the joint venture responsible for producing the CFM56 engines that power the Boeing 737-800 involved in the accident.

Collaborative Efforts in the Investigation

The probe is being led by South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board, with significant involvement from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Boeing. GE Aerospace will provide technical expertise to support the investigation. Early video footage from the incident revealed smoke emanating from the aircraft’s right engine, prompting initial speculation about a possible bird strike. However, investigators are maintaining a broad scope, considering multiple potential causes.

At a recent press briefing, South Korea’s deputy transport minister for civil aviation, Joo Jong-wan, described the inquiry as a complex process akin to “piecing together a puzzle” to uncover the accident’s root cause. Investigators have successfully converted the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data into an audio file and are in the process of transcribing its contents. Conversely, retrieving data from the flight data recorder (FDR) has proven challenging due to a missing connector component. The damaged FDR has been dispatched to the United States, where Korean and American officials, in collaboration with the NTSB, will attempt data recovery. Additionally, investigators plan to analyze information from 107 passenger mobile phones to assist in reconstructing the sequence of events.

Implications for the CFM56 Engine and Aviation Safety

GE Aerospace’s involvement is expected to intensify scrutiny of the CFM56 engine series, which not only powers the Boeing 737-800 but also numerous other commercial and military aircraft worldwide. The CFM56 is the best-selling commercial jet engine globally, with over 33,000 units delivered and a dispatch reliability rate of 99.96%. According to CFM International, the engine’s in-flight shutdown rate is remarkably low, averaging one shutdown per 500,000 flight hours. Despite this strong safety record, the high-profile nature of the Jeju Air crash and GE’s active role in the investigation may lead to a more detailed examination of the engine’s performance and safety history. Such scrutiny could have significant repercussions for market confidence and competitive dynamics within the aerospace industry.

In response to the accident, South Korea’s transport ministry has mandated enhanced inspections of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating domestically. The original deadline for these inspections, set for January 3, has been extended by one week to allow for more comprehensive reviews of maintenance records, engines, and landing gear systems. The ministry has also convened an emergency meeting with airline executives and is conducting nationwide inspections of airport facilities to identify and mitigate any potential safety risks. Authorities have underscored the importance of transparency and cooperation among airlines, urging the sharing of critical safety information.

These extensive measures underscore South Korea’s commitment to restoring public confidence in air travel and upholding the highest standards of safety for passengers and crew. As the investigation progresses, industry stakeholders and competitors are closely observing developments for any regulatory changes or shifts in market dynamics that may arise from this incident.