Mid-air engine blow-out probed

– European regulators this month began requiring an inspection by early next year of the type of engine that blew apart on a fatal Southwest Airlines flight on Tuesday, and a source said US regulators were near a similar rule.

The actions by regulators show that there has been some concern, albeit non-urgent, about the engine – a workhorse of the global civil aviation fleet that has logged more than 350 million hours of safe travel but was also being examined after a 2016 accident.

Southwest Flight 1380 made an emergency landing in Philadelphia on Tuesday after an engine ripped apart mid-air, shattering a window on the Boeing 737 and nearly sucking a passenger through. One of 144 passengers died.

The CFM56 engine was produced by a joint venture of General Electric Co and France’s Safran SA and is one of the most common engines, paired with the world’s most-sold plane, the Boeing 737.

Boeing and CFM said they will help with the US National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into the incident.

Southwest Airlines Co said it is speeding up inspections of all related engines out of extra caution, which it expects to complete within 30 days. Minimal flight disruptions may result, it said.

An early review of the engine found apparent metal fatigue. –