2023-07 · NASA ASRS report 2017070
B737 Technician reported that an EA (Engineering Authorization) does not have a sufficient fuel nozzle leak check process after fuel nozzle post-replacement work is completed. If the leak test is not performed and a potential problem goes undetected; the reporter states that it can lead to in-service engine fires.
EA (Engineering Authorization) doesn't require sufficient fuel nozzle leak check to prevent possible in-service engine fires. Nitrogen leak check with a leak test solution is a CFM best practice" but has not been adopted by Company A in this EA; nor has Boeing included it in the remove and replace of the nozzles in their AMM (Aircraft Maintenance Manual). The nitro leak check can be found in the adjustment/test section just after fuel nozzle section. This nitrogen leak test needs to be included in the Leap 1B Fuel Nozzle post replacement work card.Proof is a recent incident. During the required "idle leak check" after full set of fuel nozzles were replaced; our technicians discovered an oil leak; but no fuel leak. After a 70% part power engine run using bag method at drain lines; a significant fuel leak developed in the hot section. Other report [from weeks ago] of hot section fires support the need to do a best practice leak check. In the interim while tooling and leak detector liquid are on order; I feel need to require EA be revised to require a high power engine run after fuel nozzles are replaced or proper nitrogen test equipment tooling and leak detector can be used.Suggested resolution - an immediate resolution. In the interim; while tooling and leak detector liquid are on delay due to availability of leak check - not owned - and tooling repairs needed; I relay this feedback from the technicians on the floor: Require EA be revised to require a high power engine run after fuel nozzles are replaced and a subsequent opening of the core cowls to inspect for fuel stains; leaks in manifold; and nozzles area."
More incidents for this aircraft family
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
Loading the flight search…
Pick an aircraft model — Boeing 737, Airbus A320, A380, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and more — enter your origin airport, and FlightFinder shows every route that plane flies from there with live fares.
We support Boeing 737/747/757/767/777/787, the full Airbus A220/A319/A320/A321/A330/A340/A350/A380 family, Embraer E170/E175/E190/E195, Bombardier CRJ and Dash 8, and the ATR 42/72 turboprops.
Search and schedules are free. Pro ($4.99/month, $39/year, or $99 one-time lifetime) unlocks the enriched flight card — on-time stats, CO₂ per passenger, amenities, live gate & weather — plus My Trips with push alerts.
Live schedules come from Amadeus, AeroDataBox and Travelpayouts. Observed routes (which aircraft actually flew a given city pair) are crowdsourced from adsb.lol ADS-B data under the Open Database License.