a radar sensing element installed within a portion of the aircraft that is configured to transmit and detect radio waves; and

a control and evaluation unit in communication with the radar sensing element and receiving information from the radar sensing element;

wherein the control and evaluation unit is configured to determine in cooperation with the radar sensing element a state devoid of mechanical failure of the component by interrogating the component by transmitting the radio waves from the radar sensing element to the component, detecting the radio waves reflected from the component, determining at least one property value of the reflected radio waves, and associating the at least one property value with a characteristic of the component in the state devoid of mechanical failure;

wherein the control and evaluation unit is further configured to subsequently determine a current state of the component by interrogating the component by transmitting the radio waves from the radar sensing element to the component, detecting the radio waves reflected from the component, and determining the at least one property value of the reflected radio waves; and

wherein the control and evaluation unit is further configured to determine if the at least one property value identified in the current state of the component has changed from the at least one property value in the state devoid of mechanical failure in a manner indicative of a mechanical failure;

wherein the at least one property value is indicative of a presence of a liquid in a location where the liquid should not be present;

wherein the at least one property value is indicative of at least one chosen from a burst engine duct, a pressurized air duct, a combustor burn-through, a compressor bleed valve opening failure, a liquid pipe leak and a cooling system airflow failure.