P&W begins replacing faulty A320neo engines in India

Engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney (P&W) has started supplying new Airbus320neo engines to both IndiGo and GoAir, whose planes were grounded by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on March 12, following repeated instances of in-flight engine stalling.

Joint directorate general, DGCA, Lalit Gupta confirmed that both IndiGo and GoAir had started getting pre-450 serial number engines from P&W.

“DGCA will continue to be in touch with the stakeholders and review the situation in due course as and when the issue is addressed by European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and P&W,” Mr. Gupta said.

New A320 neo engines

Senior officials at IndiGo said that P&W had supplied them with four new A320neo engines starting March 21. “To begin with, only those aircraft with single engine failures are being re-fitted with the new engines. Aircraft grounded with double engine faults will remain on ground for now. Replacement engines will be delivered periodically,” the official said. GoAir was unavailable for comment.

Before DGCA grounded the aircraft, P&W had proposed replacing the faulty engines by June, which would require some planes to fly with one faulty engine for close to three months. The US-based aircraft engine maker had also suggested a temporary fix of swapping engines between affected planes to allow five of the grounded planes to recommence flying. The DGCA, however turned down this option.

Airline sources said that P&W had informed that all the grounded aircrafts will be fitted with replacement engines by April-end. “I can tell you that by April end the fleet will be up in the air flying,” P&W president Robert F. Leduc informed United Technologies Corporation's (UTC) investors recently.