{"id":39953,"date":"2023-07-26T12:08:08","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T06:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=39953"},"modified":"2023-08-18T22:38:51","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T17:08:51","slug":"pratt-and-whitney-engines-installed-on-all-airbus-a320neo-need-to-be-removed-for-inspections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/26\/pratt-and-whitney-engines-installed-on-all-airbus-a320neo-need-to-be-removed-for-inspections\/","title":{"rendered":"Pratt and Whitney Engines Installed on All Airbus A320neo need to be Removed for Inspections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

VIRGINIA-<\/strong> RTX, formerly known as Raytheon, has announced that a significant number of its Pratt & Whitney<\/a> GTF engines, responsible for powering Airbus A320neo<\/a> aircraft, will require accelerated removals and inspections, leading to a 14% intraday drop in the company’s shares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to RTX, Pratt & Whitney has identified a rare condition in the powder metal used to manufacture certain engine parts, necessitating inspections of 1,200 out of over 3,000 engines<\/strong> within the next nine to twelve months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, engines currently in production remain unaffected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Raytheon,
Photo: Airbus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A320neo P&W Engines problems and Inspections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An insider familiar with the matter clarified that the problem is not an immediate safety issue. Last week, RTX started notifying customers about the inspection requirements, reported Business Standard<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s worth noting that in June, the defense contractor Raytheon Technologies Corporation underwent a name change and became RTX Corporation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the engine issue, RTX has adjusted its 2023 cash flow forecast, reducing it by $500 million to $4.3 billion due to the inspection process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the company raised its 2023 sales expectations from $73 billion to $74 billion, compared to the previous forecast of $72 billion to $73 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notable customers impacted by the PW1100G-JM engine inspections include Spirit Airlines (NK), JetBlue (B6) Airways, and Wizz Air (W6), as reported by Cirium data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Airbus stock dipped by approximately 0.5% in Paris trading, Spirit shares experienced a 2.8% decline, JetBlue shares fell by 5.3%, and Wizz Air shares dropped by around 3.2% in London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"By
By Don-vip – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=82579668<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Airbus Assures Uninterrupted Deliveries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Airbus confirmed that A320neo deliveries would remain unaffected by the inspections. The company expressed its commitment to collaborating with airlines to minimize any disruptions to their fleets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benchmark analysts noted that the powder issue underscores the complexity of next-generation engines, which can introduce unexpected maintenance challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RTX stated that around 200 accelerated removals from the jet fleet, equipped with PW1100G-JM engines, would be required by mid-September this year. Subsequently, an additional 1,000 engines will undergo inspections over the next nine to twelve months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem lies in microscopic contaminants found in the proprietary metal used in the engine’s high-pressure turbine discs. These contaminants have been present in the engines from 2015 through 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the issue involves engine removal, disassembly, inspection, and potential replacement of the affected disc before reassembling the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Raytheon,
Photo: Pratt and Whitney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FAA’s Involvement and RTX’s Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

RTX expects the FAA to publish an airworthiness directive following a service bulletin. However, it can take months for the FAA to issue such a directive in non-emergency situations. The FAA has assured that appropriate steps will be taken in light of the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RTX executives commented that it is too early to determine the impact of the engine issue on cash flow in 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonetheless, CEO Greg Hayes affirmed that the company’s 2025 financial goals, including reaching $9 billion in free cash flow, should remain unaffected. However, he acknowledged a potential margin impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pratt & Whitney has also faced challenges related to GTF engines operating in hot and dusty climates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, low-cost Indian carrier Go First attributed the grounding of about half of its 54 Airbus A320neos to “faulty” Pratt & Whitney engines during a financial crisis earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on Telegram Group <\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FAA New AD Requires P&W GTF Engine Inspections to Address HPT Disk Issue<\/a><\/blockquote>