NTSB Recommended Rapid Replacement Of Some Engine Parts Subject To Icing

The FAA has declined to prevent some 130 B777 airliners from flying long-distance routes before the replacement of some engine parts that have, in extremely rare cases, iced up during flight and caused engine shutdowns. The NTSB had recommended that at least some of the suspect parts be replaced by the end of this year, but the FAA will allow the aircraft to keep flying through early 2011.

The long-simmering debate over the Rolls-Royce engines involves parts that can ice over and restrict fuel flow, which can lead to engine shutdown. The FAA said one reason for the longer regulatory deadline is the lack of availability of the parts, though the NTSB had pushed to have at least one of the two engines on each of the affected aircraft to be re-built no later than mid-2010. Some carriers are voluntarily moving forward with a repair plan as quickly as possible, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The issues are most likely to occur during long-duration high altitude flights over polar regions. Only three events have been recorded in over one million flights, according to the FAA. In one, though, a British Airways 777 went down short of the runway at Heathrow in London, injuring 13 people. In another, a Delta flight experienced a reduction in power in one engine that was quickly rectified.

Rolls-Royce says it is cooperating with both Boeing and Airbus, which also uses the suspect engine, to analyze the problem.

The NTSB said the extended phase-in of the repair was not consistent with the risk involved should an engine fail.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.ntsb.gov