Aircraft Fan Cowling Failure Analysis

Modern fan jet engine cowlings are critical to commercial aircraft flight safety. Several aircraft have lost their fan cowlings during or immediately after takeoff. This has caused extensive damage to aircraft with associated losses to aircraft operations and a risk of injury to persons. The problem has recurred with some persistence. Mechanical and human factors are looked to for potential causes.

This presentation will look at examples of cowling failure investigations and present the findings from this analysis. Based on these examples, the process and results of investigations into these cowling losses are examined. The latching mechanisms, closure verification process and human / machine interaction are explored.

Then, a discussion of how to mitigate the problem is explored. These methods include added controls and improved equipment and verification procedures and documentation.