Case 14: Failure of Center Support Bearings in an Aircraft Engine

A pair of bearings mounted side by side in an aircraft engine failed in service. Photographs show that the inner rings were either broken or deformed, the balls were worn and flattened, and the cages severely damaged. The bearing races were damaged as well, but only on one side indicating a directional thrust. In addition to their examination, investigators also conducted metallographic studies and hardness tests, which indicated that the balls and inner rings reached temperatures above 825 °C (1520 °F). Based on their findings, investigators concluded that the bearings failed due to overheating, possibly as a result of misalignment compounded by insufficient lubrication and high speeds.