DGCA grounds 11 Airbus aircraft over IndiGo's mid-air engine failure

Aviation regulator DGCA on Monday grounded 11 A320 neo aircraft powered by a certain series of Pratt & Whitney engines following instances of engine failures during flights.

Of these, 8 are operated by IndiGo and 3 by GoAir.

The decision comes hours after an A320 neo aircraft of IndiGo flight to Lucknow suffered mid-air engine failure forcing it to make an emergency landing at Ahmedabad airport.

The Airbus A320 Neo plane had 186 passengers on board.

Citing safety of aircraft operations, the DGCA said, A320 neos fitted with PW1100 engines beyond ESN 450 have been grounded with immediate effect.

''Both IndiGo and GoAir have been told not to refit these engines, which are spare with them in their inventory,'' the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.

The regulator said it would be in touch with the stakeholders and review the situation in due course and when the issue is addressed by European regulator EASA and P&W.

Last year, DGCA had ordered detailed inspection of 21 Airbus 320neo planes of IndiGo and GoAir that are equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines, which have been frequently facing technical glitches.

India's largest airline IndiGo, has had to replace Pratt & Whitney engines on its 32 A320 Neo aircraft at least 69 times in the period May 2016-November 2017.

In February European plane maker Airbus SE warned of new problems with the Pratt & Whitney engines on its A320neo planes, prompting European air safety officials to issue emergency restrictions (See: Airbus warns of new Pratt & Whitney engine problem).