Re: Liberated Fan Blade
@WingNut60:
>>> It is conceivable that the final failure is not instantaneous, no matter how quickly it occurs, but occurs over the course of some part of rotation or full rotations of the fan.
[. . .]
>>> Possible that final separation might occur progressively. . .
Yes. In fact, however fast it may occur, it almost certainly is progressive. Very short time periods are still time periods.
Also, as has been pointed out, this failure didn't occur in a vacuum or on a fan that was motionless (except for rotation) with respect to surrounding structures. It took place at speed, on an aircraft engine moving, to various degrees, along multiple axes.
Taken together all of the forces likely to have been in play would presumably have resulted in the separated blade moving forward and along a(n at least somewhat) radial path.
Regardless of the above, it certainly seems that serious consideration should be given to the containment capability of the inlet cowl.