Boeing Calls For Grounding Of Some 777s After Denver Engine Failure
Umer Jamshaid Published February 22, 2021 | 11:10 AM
Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Feb, 2021 ) :Boeing called for the grounding of 128 of its 777 planes around the world on Sunday as US regulators investigated a United Airlines flight whose engine caught fire and fell apart over a suburban American city.
United and Japan's two main airlines confirmed they had already suspended operations of 56 planes fitted with the same engine which fell apart mid-flight over Colorado on Saturday.
The US National Transportation and Safety board is also investigating the incident, in which no one was hurt.
Boeing said similarly fitted planes should be taken out of service until the Federal Aviation Authority had determined an inspection procedure.
"While the NTSB investigation is ongoing, we recommended suspending operations of the 69 in-service and 59 in-storage 777 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines," the company said.
Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) said they had respectively grounded 13 and 19 planes using PW4000 engines but had avoided flight cancelations by using other aircraft.
The Japanese transport ministry said it had ordered stricter inspections of the engine after a JAL 777 plane flying from Haneda to Naha experienced trouble with "an engine in the same family" in December.
United said it had voluntarily removed 24 Boeing 777 planes from service and expected "only a small number of customers to be inconvenienced." The FAA had earlier ordered extra inspections of some passenger jets.
Steve Dickson, the head of the regulator, said he had consulted with experts and that some airplanes would "likely" be removed from service.
"I have directed them to issue an Emergency Airworthiness Directive that would require immediate or stepped-up inspections of Boeing 777 airplanes equipped with certain Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines," he said in a statement.
Dickson added that a preliminary safety data review pointed to a need for additional checks of the jet engine's fan blades, which were unique to the engine model and only used on 777 planes.
Officials from the FAA were meeting with Pratt & Whitney and Boeing representatives on Sunday evening, he added.
- Fresh blow for Boeing - Flight UA328 had been headed from Denver to Honolulu when it experienced an engine failure shortly after departure.
Residents in the Denver suburb of Broomfield found large pieces of the plane scattered around their community.
No one onboard or on the ground was injured.
But the engine failure marks a fresh blow for Boeing after several high-profile aviation accidents.
The manufacturer's 737 MAX was grounded worldwide in March 2019 after 346 people died in two crashes -- the 2019 Lion Air disaster in Indonesia and an Ethiopian Airlines crash the following year.
Investigators said a main cause of both crashes was a faulty flight handling system known as the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS.
Boeing was forced to revamp the system and implement new pilot training protocols.
The 737 MAX was a big hit with airlines, becoming Boeing's fastest-selling aircraft until its grounding, which has now been lifted.
After the Covid-19 crisis decimated demand, airlines canceled hundreds of orders for the plane.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Nazish Jahangir denies viral screenshots, calls it fake
Govt likely to hike electricity price once again
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
11 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
11 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago