Pratt said to assess Neo engine vibrations as FAA weighs action

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/>