Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 737-800
Eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the Aerolíneas Argentinas fleet have been preventively removed from service following a series of safety incidents related to their CFM56-7B engines. The decision was fast-tracked after a flight from Buenos Aires to Córdoba was forced to divert to Ezeiza International Airport due to an engine failure. This event marks the fourth similar incident in the last year, raising concerns about the reliability of these engines.
The core of the issue lies with the CFM56-7B engines, manufactured by CFM International (a joint venture between GE Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines), which have been failing long before reaching the service intervals recommended by the manufacturer. While CFM suggests a review at 17,200 flight cycles, none of the affected engines were near that threshold.
In response, Aerolíneas Argentinas confirmed that the measure to ground the eight aircraft equipped with this engine type is “preventative.” The company has emphasized that the problem is confined to the engines and not the airframes and has already requested a formal technical opinion from the manufacturer.
The Pilots’ Stance
The Asociación de Pilotos de Líneas Aéreas (APLA), the union representing the airline’s pilots, announced that its members will refuse to operate the eight affected Boeing 737s. The union cited an “alarming lack of management” by the airline and is demanding a “robust mitigation plan” to address the safety concerns.
APLA has been vocal in its criticism, attributing the recurring incidents to a systemic failure rather than isolated events or bad luck. The union is calling for an urgent review of the company’s technical supervision processes. It has made it clear that responsibility for any flight cancellations or delays rests solely with the company.
The Latest Incident
The event that triggered the grounding occurred on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Flight AR1526, operated by the Boeing 737-800 with registration LV-FSK, was en route from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) to Córdoba (COR) when the crew detected a technical failure in engine number 1.
The pilots declared an emergency and diverted the aircraft to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), where it landed safely. All 161 passengers and crew were unharmed and were re-accommodated on another flight. Following the takeoff, operations at Aeroparque were temporarily suspended to clear metallic debris that may have been shed from the engine. The aircraft involved has been removed from service for inspection by both the airline’s and the manufacturer’s technical teams.
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