US Air Safety Regulator to Order Inspections of Jet Engines After Deadly Blast

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Wednesday it would order inspections of certain jet engines after a lethal incident this week involving a Southwest Airlines flight.

"The FAA will issue an Airworthiness Directive (AD) within the next two weeks that will require inspections of certain CFM56-7B engines," the air safety regulator tweeted.

One Person Dies After Southwest Engine Explodes, Forces Emergency Landing in Philly (VIDEOS, PICTURES)
The directive will require ultrasonic inspections of fan blades when they reach a certain number of takeoffs and landings, according to the statement. "Any blades that fail the inspection will have to be replaced," the regulator stressed.

A fan blade reportedly broke off at the hub of a Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 engine, which exploded in mid-flight. The blast damaged the fuselage and smashed a window, nearly sucking a female passenger out. The woman died, while several other passengers were injured.