In-flight shutdowns on a number of PW1100G-powered A320neo aircraft. Issue is being addressed by Pratt & Whitney

A recent compressor modification is suspected to be the source of a rash of in-flight shutdowns on Airbus A320neo aircraft

Airbus said it is “assessing the situation”. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) warning of a potential “dual engine” in-flight shutdown on A320neo family aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofan (GTF) engines.

Pratt & Whitney, with the support of Airbus, is in close contact with customers to address the results of a recent finding related to the knife edge seal in the High-Pressure Compressor (HPC) aft hub on the PW1100G-JM engine powering the A320neo. This issue is isolated to a limited subpopulation of engines.

We have identified the potentially affected engines and communicated with our customers. As a precaution, aircraft with these engines will be addressed in a manner consistent with the operational instructions issued by Airbus and coordinated between Airbus and Pratt & Whitney as needed.

Since entering service in January 2016, these engines have more than 500,000 hours of passenger service. The GTF engine has demonstrated its promised ability to reduce fuel burn by 16 percent to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 50 percent to the regulatory standard and to lower the noise footprint by 75 percent.

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/