PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - More 737 Max issues, biocide may cause dual engine flame out
Old 16th Jul 2020, 23:21
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Dave Therhino
 
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AD's contain an explanation of why they were issued. From the Discussion section in the preamble for AD 2020-14-09:

"The FAA has received a report indicating that a Boeing Model 787 airplane equipped with General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B model turbofan engines experienced temporary thrust anomalies on both engines during descent into Kansai, Japan, on March 29, 2019. Specifically, both engines briefly fell below idle thrust, and the flightcrew received failure messages for both engines.

"The FAA's review of the data from this incident indicated the thrust anomalies resulted from fuel control instability. The fuel tanks of the event airplane had recently been treated with Kathon FP 1.5 biocide for suspected microbial growth contamination. Salt crystals can form in the fuel under certain conditions after Kathon FP 1.5 biocide is applied. These salt crystals have the potential to cause slowresponse of engine hydromechanical control features, resulting in compressor stalls or flameouts, potentially on both engines.

"Having similar fuel system architecture as the GE GEnx engines, the CFM International S.A. (CFM) LEAP-1B model turbofan engines, which are installed on 737 MAX airplanes, are also considered susceptible to a multi-engine loss-of-thrust-control event. This condition, if not addressed, could result in malfunction of the engine's control system hydromechanical unit due to undispersed Kathon FP 1.5 biocide contaminating and restricting the movement of internal parts. Because the fuel systems for both engines on an affected airplane are likely to be similarly affected, there is the potential for loss of thrust control on both engines. Loss of thrust control on both engines could result in failure to climb on takeoff, a forced off-airport landing, or an unacceptably high flightcrew workload."

End quote

The concern exists even with proper dosing of the bulk fuel due to local conditions that can exist in the fuel system leading to formation of crystals. The AD is consistent with recommendations from GE and Boeing.
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