notapilot15:
I heard another operator needed early overhaul of their CFM56s, apparently they were failing prematurely by flying to ME. Is this something to do with sand??
Not unique to any particular engine type. Helos (turboshaft) operating in Vietnam suffered much distress due to sand & dust - airfoil erosion esp. in the compressor, and blocked cooling passages in turbine airfoils.
My own experience in the ME saw small compressor airfoils worn so badly, the sharp-cornered leading & trailing edge corners resembled the semielliptical wingtip of the Spitfire!