The malfunction of the PW400-112 engine on a Boeing 777-200 operated by United Airlines now has consequences. Several countries have issued a temporary flight ban on this type of engine. The FAA requires that the affected machines be extensively checked.

Boeing explains that a total of 128 machines are affected. Accordingly, United Airlines should be the only operator in the United States. Other machines are in use in South Korea and Japan, among others. The UK was the first state to ban Boeing 777-200s powered by PW4000 engines. The FAA requires machines to remain on the ground until an unscheduled inspection is completed.

Background is that a malfunction on the right engine on Saturday a United Airlines operated 777-200 occurred. Fires were spotted and parts fell to the ground. There was mere damage to property on the ground. There were no injuries, the plane landed safely in Denver.

The US aviation authority FAA requires that the Boeing 4000-777s equipped with PW200 engines must be checked for airworthiness. The first findings of the accident investigation show "that the inspection intervals for the hollow fan blades should be increased, which are unique to this engine model and are only installed in the 777 type". FAA boss Steve Dickson also said that two fan blades have broken and panels could come off.

69 active machines affected

Of the 128 machines that now need to be checked, only 69 are in active service. The remaining 59 copies have been parked for a long time due to the corona pandemic. United Airlines announced that the 56 aircraft affected were immediately decommissioned for inspection.

Japan Airlines and ANA received instructions from the Japanese aviation authority that a total of 32 Boeing 777-200s should be taken out of service immediately. These are now to be examined extensively by technical staff. People in Japan are very prudent, because in December 2020 a similar incident occurred at Japan Airlines with a B777-200: the fan blades broke on the left engine. The machine could turn around and land safely. The Japanese authorities suspect that there could be a general problem with the PW-4000 engine.

Asiana Airlines announced that the seven operational Boeing 777-200s with PW-4000 engines will temporarily no longer be used. Korean Air says ten more copies have been in storage for some time due to the corona pandemic. Those six that are in operation should remain on the ground until further notice.