What are the limitations of borescope inspection during overhaul?

• A. It can access all areas without disassembly.
• B. It expands inspection coverage but may miss hidden areas, requiring partial disassembly.
• C. It replaces all other inspections.
• D. It is not used in turbine engines.

Answer: (B)

Borescope inspection lets you visually inspect interior surfaces and cavities without fully dismantling the engine, which helps during overhaul to screen for obvious wear, cracks, or deposits. But its reach is limited by the engine geometry and the scope’s entry points. Some areas are hidden behind components or out of sight, especially deep passages or joints blocked by structure. Lighting and angle limitations can also obscure defects. Because of these limits, you often need partial disassembly to expose hidden regions for a thorough inspection. It’s a diagnostic tool that complements, but does not replace, other inspections, and it is indeed used on turbine engines. The choice that states it expands coverage but may miss hidden areas, requiring partial disassembly, captures this balance.