Engine maker CFM International is promising to shortly roll out a redesigned component in its Leap-IB, which powers the Boeing 737 Max, to cure a lingering reliability concern. European safety regulators have instructed 737 Max operators, via a directive, to inspect engine gearbox scavenge screens for metallic particles after several in-flight shutdown incidents. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is aware of five instances of commanded inflight engine shutdown which occurred after activation of oil filter bypass indications. "Investigations identified the cause as failure of the radial drive shaft bearing cage," EASA adds in its directive that mandates an inspection already covered by CFM in a February service bulletin. CFM adds: "100% of the fleet is in compliance with our recommendations and there have been no further events. We fully understand the cause of these events and the repetitive inspections are to prevent further events. "CFM has validated a new design that it is currently certifying and industrialising, with a planned release in the coming months. This issue does not impact the Leap-1A fleet."
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