Samwise Aeronautical Mechanics
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Boeing 737 MAX 7 Expected to Receive FAA Certification Before End of July
Boeing's 737 MAX 7 is expected to receive FAA type certification before the end of July 2026. About 80 percent of the required flight-test programme is complete, according to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, and the primary technical hurdle — a redesign of the engine anti-ice system to prevent nacelle thermal damage during prolonged icing — appears resolved. Southwest Airlines, the launch customer with approximately 289 aircraft on order, expects FAA approval by August and around two dozen completed MAX 7 jets parked at Moses Lake, Washington, await delivery. Southwest plans to begin passenger service in early 2027.
Sources: AviationA2Z Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MTU Maintenance Fort Worth Opens Expanded LEAP-1B MRO Hub at AllianceTexas
MTU Maintenance Fort Worth celebrated the grand opening of its expanded North American flagship facility on July 9, inducting the site's first CFM International LEAP-1B engine for overhaul. The $120 million expansion of the AllianceTexas facility, spanning 43,000 square metres, is the only site in MTU's global network to hold CFM's Premier status — the manufacturer's highest level of approval. The shop is licensed to perform full overhauls and in-house repairs on both LEAP and CFM56 engine families. The inaugural engine belongs to Brazilian carrier GOL. MTU expects to induct its first LEAP-1A, which powers the Airbus A320neo family, shortly.
Sources: Fort Worth Report / MTU Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive for CFM LEAP-1A HPT Blade Deterioration in South Asia Operations
The FAA has issued Airworthiness Directive 2026-13979, effective July 27, requiring borescope inspections of high-pressure turbine rotor stage 1 blades on CFM International LEAP-1A engines that have accumulated more than 1,100 takeoffs in the South Asia region. The manufacturer determined that operating conditions in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka cause accelerated blade deterioration and airfoil distress. Thresholds vary: engines accumulating 2,500 part cycles since new for Group 1 aircraft, or 5,100 cycles for Group 2, trigger the initial inspection requirement. Findings may require additional inspections at reduced intervals or blade replacement. The AD applies to 14 LEAP-1A variants powering the Airbus A320neo family.
Sources: Federal Register / FAA AD 2026-13979 Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Ryanair Boeing 737-800 Suffers Uncontained CFM56 Engine Failure, Passenger Partially Ejected at Altitude
A Ryanair Malta Air Boeing 737-800 made an emergency return to Thessaloniki on July 10 after an uncontained failure of the right CFM International CFM56-7B engine approximately ten minutes after takeoff. Engine debris struck the fuselage, rupturing a passenger cabin window. A 61-year-old Serbian passenger was partially ejected — head and shoulders outside the aircraft — before his wife and fellow passengers pulled him back inside. He was hospitalised at AHEPA University Hospital in Thessaloniki with friction burns. Airwaysmag.com reported the window rupture was preceded by an apparent fan-blade failure. North Macedonia's accident investigation authority is leading the probe into the incident on flight FR1879.
Sources: Airwaysmag.com / AVHerald Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Ten Killed in Flamingo Air Cessna 402 Crash in Bahamas; Airline Certificate Suspended
Ten people were killed when a Flamingo Air Cessna 402C crashed in North Andros, Bahamas, on July 11 while on a domestic service from Nassau to San Andros. The aircraft encountered difficulties and came down in bushes prior to landing. On the same day, a second Flamingo Air aircraft reported a safety issue on a separate flight and returned to Nassau, where the aircraft later caught fire on the ground with no additional casualties. The Bahamas Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation suspended Flamingo Air's Air Operator Certificate pending investigation. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority and Civil Aviation Authority of the Bahamas have opened a formal investigation into the accident.
Sources: CBS News / Republic World Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FAA Proposes Superseding 2023 Airworthiness Directive with New Boeing 747 Fuel Transfer Pump Inspection Rule
The FAA has proposed to supersede Airworthiness Directive 2023-07-09 with a new rule requiring repetitive inspections of horizontal stabilizer fuel tank transfer pump housings on certain Boeing 747-400 and 747-8 series aircraft. The proposed AD, published in the Federal Register on July 9, calls for inspections of inlet check valves and transfer pump motor impeller inlet adapters for damage, along with restrictions on reinstallation of affected parts under certain conditions. An on-condition action requirement is also included in the proposal. The comment period for docket FAA-2026-7215 closes on August 24, 2026. The proposal supersedes an earlier directive issued in 2023.
Sources: Federal Register / FAA Docket FAA-2026-7215 Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Curated by JD · samwise.agency