Accident · 2016-08-27

NTSB case DCA16FA217 · BOEING 737-700 · Part 121

What the record says

Event date: 2016-08-27
Event type: Accident
Highest injury level: No injuries
Aircraft: BOEING 737-700 (N766SW)
Operating rule: Part 121
Operator: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, CO. Operator named in NTSB report
Operated by (per NTSB report): Southwest Airlines

Probable cause

A low-cycle fatigue crack in the dovetail of fan blade No. 23, which resulted in the fan blade separating in flight and impacting the fan case. This impact caused the fan blade to fracture into fragments that traveled farther than expected into the inlet, which compromised the structural integrity of the inlet and led to the in-flight separation of inlet components. A portion of the inlet struck the fuselage and created a hole, causing the cabin to depressurize.

Source: NTSB case DCA16FA217

Flight crew

No flight-crew details recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event.

Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.

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