(New York) The US civil aviation regulator (FAA) on Wednesday published proposals to modify certain Boeing 777 models, grounded since a flight incident in February, but which could return to the sky in early 2022.
On February 20, a United Airlines 777-200 aircraft had seen, shortly after takeoff from Denver (Colorado), its right engine catch fire and lose its fairing.
The pilots of this flight to Honolulu (Hawaii) had to turn around and land urgently, without the incident causing any injuries.
A few hours later, Boeing had recommended not to fly, until further notice, this model, equipped with an engine from the American supplier Pratt & Whitney.
On Wednesday, the FAA made several proposals to address mechanical deficiencies seen in three separate incidents, the most recent being in Denver.
It recommends reinforcing the engine shroud, as well as inspecting part of the fan shroud (propeller thruster), and repeated tests on a mechanism supposed to be triggered in the event of a fire.
These proposals, which will not be officially published until December 28, are subject to comment until the end of January.
Solicited by AFP, United Airlines, the only American company to have this 777 model in its fleet, described these proposals as “a good solution”.
The company said “many” of the affected aircraft had already been subjected to the inspections proposed by the FAA.
“We expect these planes to join our (operational) fleet early next year,” United said.
Some 128 aircraft of this model are approved worldwide, all companies combined, including 54 in the United States, according to the FAA.
“We support these guidelines, which reflect our work with the FAA to improve the design” of the hood and fairing of the 777 PW4000 engine, Boeing responded to AFP through a spokesperson.
“We will continue to work with the FAA, Pratt & Whitney and our customers to safely return these aircraft to service,” the spokesperson added.
In early April, the airline Japan Airlines announced that it was withdrawing from service early its 13 Boeing 777s equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines, in the absence of predictability on the resumption of operation.