A study by a Chinese aviation specialist reports premature cracking in high-pressure turbine blades of some GE Aerospace GEnx-1B engines. The findings, published in an industry journal and reported by the South China Morning Post, suggest cracks form within 1,000 flight cycles. These engines power Boeing 787 aircraft.
The author, an employee at Xiamen Airlines, noted five engine removals from an unnamed airline's Boeing 787 fleet due to these defects. Thermal fatigue caused the defects. Early blade damage necessitates more frequent inspections and engine replacements, increasing operational costs for airlines. GE Aerospace has not publicly responded to the report.