Chapter 12

Turbine Engines

Introduction

Easier to investigate than

reciprocating
No standard wear patterns
Only metal to metal contact points
are the bearings and the accessory
drive

Turbojet

Original engine
Air in compressed ignition thrust

Turbojet

Original engine
Air in compressed ignition
thrust
Easy to determine FOD look at first
blade
Look at remains and judge
power/thrust

Turbofan

Fan acts like propeller and distributes

power
Bypass of combustion chamber for
additional power
Fan tends to absorb most crash energy
Fan tip bending may relate to aircraft
velocity/RPM

Turboprop

Turns shaft instead of creating thrust

Constant RPM
Thrust by varying pitch of blades

Turboshafts

Any jet engine that does not produce

thrust through reaction or drive a
propeller
Not in line with the direction of travel

Investigation
Considerations

If needed to be disassembled, take

to facility
Note engine serial numbers and any
part numbers and installation times
Look for obvious signs of failure

Holes in casing, metal to metal contact,

oil evidence

Investigation
Considerations

Power determination
More rotation = more power
Compressor blades bend opposite direction
of rotation turning during impact

If not bent or different directions = impact

damage

Fuel control unit good info, but need

expert
Position of bleed air valve
Cockpit indicators

Fuel flow, torque, airspeed, throttle position

Investigation
Considerations

Temperature determination
Outside of engine discoloration
Combustion section melting
Blades intact, but have metallic grit
Creep elongation of metal

11th place
The shipyard mechanics

Common Turbine Engine

Problems

FOD
Most common
Damage during impact most severe in
front of impact and reduce as you go
back
Opposite for FOD more damage as
you go back since engine is still
spinning
Birds, ice, metal parts of engine

Common Turbine Engine

Problems

Volcanic Ash

Compressor Stall

Silicon to glass because of heat and

pressure
Rumbling or fire out engine

Accessory Failure
Analyze whether in flight or impact
Fuel pump will shutdown engine

Common Turbine Engine

Problems

Thrust Reverser

Usually obvious

Bearing Failure

Burned, glazed or welded

Summary

Logic and thorough process

See Chapter 12, 10. for
comprehensive list

End of Chapter
12

Next Week

View the video: http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQa4PpI
kOZU&feature=related
Read the Kern analysis:

Adobe Acrobat
Document

Next Week

Write a summary of the investigation

based on the format in your Walters
and Sumwalt book. This includes:
A paragraph for flight history and
background
At least 3 Findings
A paragraph that includes at least 3
recommendations directly tied to your
findings

Week 4

Case Analysis Presentations

Revision to the syllabus:
Chapters 13-20

We will cover Chapters 21-28 Week 5

Midterm to cover Chapters 1-20

Final to cover Chapters 21-40

End of Week 2
See you Tuesday 6/19