Inadequate inspections blamed for United jet engine failure over Denver

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that the engine failure on a United Airlines jet over Denver in 2021 was caused by inadequate inspection of a fan blade, which had developed undetected cracks. The NTSB found that manufacturer Pratt & Whitney did not call for frequent enough inspections, allowing the cracks to grow until the blade broke. The design and testing of the engine inlet also contributed to the severity of the incident. Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all U.S.-registered planes with the same engines. This incident raised concerns about fan blade failures occurring earlier than expected, leading to the FAA implementing more frequent inspections. Pratt & Whitney has not yet commented on the NTSB's findings.