IndiGo Neo suffers engine snag on Chennai-Kolkata flight, returns safely to Chennai

New Delhi: In yet another incident involving the perenially snag-prone Pratt & Whitney (PW) engines of the Airbus A320 Neo, an IndiGo flight from Chennai to Kolkata Thursday (January 3) experienced trouble in one of the engines. According to sources, one of the two PW engines of the Neo (VT-ITR) emitted a bang sound followed by sparks, smoke and vibration in the engine. Since twin engine aircraft can land on one engine, this flight, 9W 923 with 136 passengers on board, also did so safely by returning to Chennai.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) has sent a team to Chennai to examine the engine to do a preliminary analysis.

An IndiGo spokesperson said the flight "6E 923 (Neo) operating Chennai-Kolkata route on January 3, 2019, returned to Chennai after take off due to a technical caution noted by the crew. The crew followed the normal operating procedures and asked for a priority landing. There was no engine shutdown and no emergency landing was declared."

Comments from PW and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) were sought on this latest snag. The story will be updated once they do so.

"The aircraft is grounded in Chennai. The engine has to be replaced as its blades are burnt out, damaged," said sources.

Aviation authorities are learnt to be contemplating some action due to the recent spurt in the unending snags on Pratt & Whitney engines powering A320 Neo. In India, only IndiGo and GoAir use PW-powered Neos.