Uncontained Engine Failure at O'Hare Could Have Been Much Worse

Uncontained Engine Failure at O’Hare Could Have Been Much Worse

Rob Mark

Tuesday, November 01, 2016 at 07:56 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

An American Airlines Boeing 767 experienced an uncontained engine failure during takeoff at Chicago O'Hare, where a high-pressure turbine disk failed, causing a significant wing fire.
All 170 passengers and crew safely evacuated with only minor injuries, largely due to the pilots stopping the aircraft early in the takeoff roll.
A critical concern is that engine debris traveled over half a mile, crossing active runways and taxiways, demonstrating the severe potential risk of uncontained engine failures to other airport operations and structures.

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The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary briefing surrounding the uncontained engine failure aboard an American Airlines Boeing 767 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) last Friday included the basic facts of the harrowing and potentially catastrophic event.