Boeing recommends grounding airliners with the same engines.
United Airlines flight 328 from Denver International Airport to Honolulu, Hawaii, was forced to turn around shortly after takeoff after pilots reported an engine issue. A Pratt & Whitney engine experienced a failure mid-air, but the pilots were able to land the aircraft safely. Portions of the failed engine fell into a Denver suburb.
Boeing is now calling for the voluntary grounding of the 777 aircraft with the Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines. There are 69 such aircraft currently in service.
“Boeing is actively monitoring recent events related to United Airlines Flight 328. While the NTSB investigation is ongoing, we recommended suspending operations of the 69 in-service and 59 in-storage 777s powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines until the FAA identifies the appropriate inspection protocol,” the company said in a statement.
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said he directed his team of aviation safety experts to declare an Emergency Airworthiness Directive that would “require immediate or stepped-up inspections of Boeing 777 airplanes equipped with certain… engines,” and he said the move will likely result in “some airplanes being removed from service.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the investigatory teams from the National Transportation Safety Board as they look into the reasons for the engine failure.
- For the FAA as this new issue has been found with Boeing 777 aircraft.
- For safety for the traveling public as they take the airlines.
Sources: Wall Street Journal, Washington Examiner
