If you thought the issues with the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G turbofan engine, which powers many Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets, might soon be resolved, think again. Another issue has emerged. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is taking action to address concerns about a manufacturing issue with Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines. The agency has proposed new maintenance requirements for affected engines, including accelerated replacement of certain components.
The FAA’s proposed rule applies to 430 US-registered PW1100Gs, which power Airbus A320neo-family aircraft. The agency identified an increased risk of failure for additional powder-metal parts in certain production batches. These parts are susceptible to failure significantly earlier than previously expected.
Earlier Engine Recall and Groundings
Pratt & Whitney previously recalled approximately 1,200 PW1100Gs for inspection or replacement of high-pressure turbine and compressor disks due to a similar powder-metal manufacturing issue. This resulted in the grounding of hundreds of A320neo-family jets for repairs and inspections.
The FAA’s proposed rule is the latest step in addressing the powder-metal problem. The agency has already issued several airworthiness directives requiring airlines to perform ultrasonic inspections of affected components. This latest proposal expands those requirements and introduces new inspection and replacement procedures.
Specific Components Affected
The FAA has identified the following PW1100G components as being affected by the powder-metal issue:
- Bladed rotors
- High-pressure compressor hubs
- High-pressure turbine first- and second-stage air seals
- High-pressure turbine first- and second-stage hubs
- High-pressure turbine first- and second-stage retaining plates
The FAA’s proposed rule requires airlines to perform ultrasonic inspections of bladed rotors and hubs. Additionally, many engines will require replacement of one or more of the affected components.
Impact on Airlines and Passengers
The new maintenance requirements are expected to have a significant impact on airlines operating PW1100G-powered aircraft, particularly in the US. Airlines will need to schedule additional maintenance downtime and may need to find replacement parts, which could be in short supply. This could lead to flight delays and cancellations for passengers.
As such, will more airlines opt for the CFM LEAP 1A to power their A320neo and A321neo?
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