Federal prosecutors here announced on Thursday that they had charged two men with sexual assault aboard airplanes, violations that have become an increasingly recognized problem for passengers, the airline industry and flight crews, who are often the first to receive reports of assaults in the air. The authorities announced federal charges against the two men, taking action after an FBI campaign in recent months to encourage victims and witnesses of sexual assault aboard airplanes to come forward, during flights or once on the ground. Abusive sexual contact in commercial airspace, the federal statute applied in the investigation, can carry up to two years in prison. “We need the flying public’s help, and the sooner you report, the better,” said Annette L. Hayes, the United States attorney in Seattle. Over the last four years, the number of cases of sexual assault on aircraft being investigated by the FBI has grown by about 30% as the public conversation about the problem has widened. The authorities anticipate that even more reports will emerge as pressure mounts for the airline industry to address assaults, and as cases like the ones announced on Thursday draw attention.<br/>
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Pratt & Whitney is investigating incidents of excessive vibration in its engines that power Airbus' A320neo aircraft, the latest in a series of problems that have plagued the new turbine, according to people familiar with the matter. The US manufacturer has yet to identify the cause and is assessing if there is a connection to prior design issues, the people said. Pilots have in some instances received alerts of high vibration levels during flights, and the US FAA is looking into the matter. “The FAA is aware of the vibration issue, and we are currently working with Pratt and Whitney on the cause,” a spokesperson for the agency said, adding that it is too early to determine whether to issue mandatory instructions to airline operators. Pratt’s geared turbofan, a step-change in the efficiency of turbines for commercial aircraft, has been hit by a run of design flaws that have grounded planes, delayed deliveries and prompted hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation claims. About 10 Pratt-powered A320neos are typically grounded at one time as the manufacturer installs fixes.<br/>