NTSB Issues Safety Recommendation A-18-004 to FAA for Engine Inspections

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued safety recommendation number A-18-004, identified under reference DCA17FA021. This directive is addressed specifically to the Federal Aviation Administration. The NTSB urges the agency to require subsurface in-service inspection techniques for critical high-energy, life-limited rotating parts found in all engines. The recommendation explicitly cites ultrasonic inspections as an example of the required methods. These measures are intended to ensure the structural integrity and safety of engine components that are subject to rigorous operational limits. The NTSB emphasizes the necessity of these protocols to address potential risks associated with rotating machinery within aircraft propulsion systems.