UA328: Initial NTSB findings show metal fatigue

UA328 Boeing 777-200 (Image: NTSB/Public Domain)
Image: NTSB/Public Domain

Initial inspections of the Pratt & Whitney PW4000-112 engine that caught fire on flight UA328 on Saturday have found that Turbine Blade No11 sheared off at the root “likely caused by metal fatigue”.

Turbine Blade 10 was also sheared mid-way along its length, probably after being hit by Blade 11.

Close up of Blade Failure on UA328
Close up of Blade Failure on UA328 (Image: NTSB/Public Domain)

The incident hit the headlines on the weekend after the failure cause the fairing and nacelle to separate from the engine and land in a housing estate near Denver damaging property.

Debris from the engine also caused damage to the fairing on the wing root as it came off the aircraft.

Wing root fairing damage on UA328
Wing root fairing damage on UA328 (Image: NTSB/Public Domain)

All Pratt & Whitney powered Boeing 777s have been grounded as a precaution.

About Nick Harding 2043 Articles
Nick is the senior reporter and editor at UK Aviation News as well as working freelance elsewhere. He has his finger firmly on the pulse on Aviation, not only in the UK but worldwide. Nick has been asked to speak in a professional capacity on LBC, Heart and other broadcast networks.