Other British 737s Checked; No Problems

Investigators got a first look at the engines from a crashed Boeing 737 on Thursday, and British airlines flying similar craft said they found no evidence of faults in the engine warning systems.

The engines from the British Midland Boeing 737-400 that crashed Sunday were removed from an embankment along a freeway near the town of Kegworth and taken to nearby East Midlands Airport.

The plane, bound for Belfast, Northern Ireland, crashed while trying an emergency landing at the airport, killing 44 people and injuring 82.

Investigators are trying to determine why the plane’s apparently working right engine was turned off during the flight when later examination showed it was the left engine that caught fire. Speculations have focused on a faulty engine warning system and crew error.

Meanwhile, it was reported early today that British officials have ordered more detailed checks of all engines similar to those on the British Midland flight. Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority made the demand to ensure that all CFM-56 engines on 737-400, 737-300 and Airbus A-320 planes are safe.

On Wednesday, the Civil Aviation Authority ordered British airlines using late model Boeing 737s and Airbus A-320s equipped with the U.S.-French CFM-56 engine to inspect the fire and vibration warning systems for “left-right sense.”

Those checks were completed Thursday by six airlines, and none found any problems.