New Delhi: Vistara -- the airline joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines -- faces more engine trouble than what the company would like to admit.
The airline has been reporting multiple problems in its CFM Leap I engines, four of which have already been replaced after induction only a year ago. Another two are awaiting replacement following problems in their turbines.
A couple of days ago, a Delhi-Bengaluru flight could not take off because the engine wouldn't start. Apologising to passengers on Twitter, Vistara admitted: "Though it is a very new aircraft, there is a technical glitch that has caused the delay."
"Engine problem in Vistara aircraft have been reported for HPT Stage II and four of these have already been replaced in the past one year. What we are seeing now are problems in HPT Stage I, which have not been reported to DGCA [Directorate General of Civilian Aviation] as yet," sources in the airlines said.
According to them, there are problems in the turbines whose coatings are coming off; this could lead to cracks in the turbines. Two engines out of 14 are slotted for a change including the one on the Delhi-Bengaluru route.
Similar problems have also been reported with engines fitted in Air India aircraft with at least six being replaced in one year.
HPT Stage 1 engines have completed 200 fight cycles recently after being inducted around a year ago. During routine maintenance, the turbine damage was detected. What's alarming is the damages are cropping up early in the engine's life.
While Airbus recommends a service check first at 200 flight cycles and then at 1,600, this will now change with engines to be checked more frequently at 500 cycles.
24/05/18 Meetu Jain/India Today
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The airline has been reporting multiple problems in its CFM Leap I engines, four of which have already been replaced after induction only a year ago. Another two are awaiting replacement following problems in their turbines.
A couple of days ago, a Delhi-Bengaluru flight could not take off because the engine wouldn't start. Apologising to passengers on Twitter, Vistara admitted: "Though it is a very new aircraft, there is a technical glitch that has caused the delay."
"Engine problem in Vistara aircraft have been reported for HPT Stage II and four of these have already been replaced in the past one year. What we are seeing now are problems in HPT Stage I, which have not been reported to DGCA [Directorate General of Civilian Aviation] as yet," sources in the airlines said.
According to them, there are problems in the turbines whose coatings are coming off; this could lead to cracks in the turbines. Two engines out of 14 are slotted for a change including the one on the Delhi-Bengaluru route.
Similar problems have also been reported with engines fitted in Air India aircraft with at least six being replaced in one year.
HPT Stage 1 engines have completed 200 fight cycles recently after being inducted around a year ago. During routine maintenance, the turbine damage was detected. What's alarming is the damages are cropping up early in the engine's life.
While Airbus recommends a service check first at 200 flight cycles and then at 1,600, this will now change with engines to be checked more frequently at 500 cycles.
24/05/18 Meetu Jain/India Today
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