Boeing, the largest aircraft manufacturer, has suspended flights of the 777-model aircraft, which have the same type of engine that suffered a failure in Colorado. Not long ago, an engine of the plane flying from Denver caught fire and fell apart, scattering debris in a Colorado neighborhood.
After the incident with the 777 airliner, the manufacturer has recommended suspending flights of these models. "While [an] 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.
According to the report published on the Boeing website, the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating Boeing 777 jets fitted with the Pratt & Whitney 4000 engine. Currently, Boeing is waiting for a verdict from the Federal Aviation Administration, which should identify an appropriate verification protocol.
On February 21, 2021, the right engine of a United Airlines 777 caught fire and failed when the plane took off from Denver airport (Colorado) to Honolulu (Hawaii). Airplane debris fell from the sky in Broomfield. There were 241 passengers on board. The plane made an emergency landing at Denver airport. None of the passengers were injured.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered inspections of Boeing 777 jets. According to Steve Dixon, the FAA administrator, aircraft with engine defects will be withdrawn from service. "Based on the initial information, we concluded that the inspection interval should be stepped up for the hollow fan blades that are unique to this model of engine, used solely on Boeing 777 airplanes," he said.
Japan temporarily halted flights of the Boeing 777 with Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines. The management of Boeing agreed with this decision. The example of Japan was followed by United Airlines, which suspended flights of Boeing 777 airliners with similar engines.
