Engine failure spurs suspension of dozens of aircraft worldwide
Emirates Airline has clarified that its Boeing 777 fleet is not using the same type of engine that caught fire shortly after take-off in the United States on Saturday.
American plane maker Boeing has recommended that carriers ground their 777 jets that are powered by a type of engine called Pratt & Whitney 4000-112. The precautionary measure was taken after a similar engine of a Boeing 777-200 failed and rained debris over a suburb in Denver.
So far, a total of 120 airplanes have been suspended worldwide, with air transport regulators in Japan and US ordering emergency inspections.
Emirates is the world’s largest operator of 777 jets, with 155 Boeing 777s in service as of November 2019.
When contacted by Zawya, the airline would not say it is in consultation with Boeing or air transport authorities regarding the incident, but it clarified that it is not using the same type of engine that failed.
“Our Boeing 777s are operated by GE engines,” a spokesperson said.
Engine failure
The long-haul operator has been gradually redeploying its fleet worldwide after the global coronavirus lockdown in March 2020.
Airlines have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic as passenger traffic plunged and has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels.
Last Saturday, a United Airlines plane with 231 people onboard took off from Denver International when one of its engines failed and rained debris over a suburb. The aircraft made an emergency landing, and no one was reported injured.
In a statement after the incident, Boeing said it has recommended suspending operations of 69 in-service and 59 in-storage 777s equipped with Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines.
“We are working with [regulators] as they take actions while these planes are on the ground and further inspections are conducted by Pratt & Whitney,” said Boeing.
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