Engine problems force IndiGo to ground three A320 neo planes
12 Feb 2018
No-frills airline IndiGo has grounded three A320 neo aircraft due to engine problems. The grounded aircraft are powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.
A statement released by IndiGo has confirmed that these aircraft were withdrawn from service from 9 February as recommended by the engine maker.
"We confirm receiving the recommendations by Pratt & Whitney as well as EASA (European Aviation Safety Regulator) with respect to the A320 neo aircraft powered by PW1100G - JM engines. We have three aircraft with the particular engine configuration, which have been flagged by EASA", IndiGo said in a release.
Reports quoting sources at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said these aircraft are powered by Pratt and Whitney engines and the grounding of the aircraft follows a directive from European aviation safety regulator EASA.
The EASA had on Friday issued an emergency airworthiness directive for A320 neo planes fitted with PW1100 engines of a certain serial number.
EASA issued the directive following instances of A320 neo family planes with PW-1100 engines reporting in-flight engine shut-downs and failed take-offs, the reports stated.
This has forced cancellation at least four scheduled flights while another six flights have been delayed following the grounding of the aircraft.
The grounding of the planes has led to confusion among the airline's passengers as many of them didn't know that several flights have been cancelled and arrived at the airport.
''Our precautionary measure of grounding the three aircraft resulted in cancellations of some of our flights,'' IndiGo said.
