FAA orders inspections on Boeing 777 jets after engine failure

The head of the FAA said Sunday that he was requiring “immediate or stepped-up inspections” of all Boeing 777 planes equipped with a particular Pratt & Whitney engine model one day after the jet suffered a dramatic engine failure over Colorado. Also on Sunday, United, the only American carrier affected by the FAA order, said it was temporarily grounding the 24 Boeing 777 planes currently in use in its fleet with the Pratt & Whitney engines. “We reviewed all available safety data following yesterday’s incident,” said the FAA administrator, Steve Dickson. “Based on the initial information, we concluded that the inspection interval should be stepped up for the hollow fan blades that are unique to this model of engine, used solely on Boeing 777 airplanes.” In a statement on Sunday, United said “safety remains our highest priority — for our employees and our customers.” It continued, “That’s why our pilots and flight attendants take part in extensive training to prepare and manage incidents like United Flight 328. And we remain proud of their professionalism and steadfast dedication to safety in our day-to-day operations and when emergencies like this occur.” Dickson said the FAA was working with its counterparts around the world and said that its safety experts were meeting “into the evening” with Pratt & Whitney and Boeing to complete details of the required inspections. Only airlines in the United States, Japan and South Korea operate Boeing 777s with the affected Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engine model, according to the agency.<br/>