Pratt & Whitney A320neo engine suffers new test snag
Pratt & Whitney has suffered a fresh problem during testing of new engines for the Airbus A320neo, but flight trials of the airliner are continuing. The problem occurred when an oil pump failed after an engine had been deliberately shut down in flight and left to turn with the natural airflow, a process known as "windmilling" which is designed to ensure an aircraft can fly on only one engine. "We found a bearing had seized within the main oil pump. We have never seen that anywhere in flight tests," an industry executive with direct knowledge of the matter said. Pratt & Whitney is carrying out an internal investigation into the problem which happened about 2 weeks ago. Early signs point to a manufacturing fault in the broken part, a person close to the matter said. <br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/imagelibrary/news/hot-topics/2016-02-29/general/pratt-whitney-a320neo-engine-suffers-new-test-snag
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Pratt & Whitney A320neo engine suffers new test snag
Pratt & Whitney has suffered a fresh problem during testing of new engines for the Airbus A320neo, but flight trials of the airliner are continuing. The problem occurred when an oil pump failed after an engine had been deliberately shut down in flight and left to turn with the natural airflow, a process known as "windmilling" which is designed to ensure an aircraft can fly on only one engine. "We found a bearing had seized within the main oil pump. We have never seen that anywhere in flight tests," an industry executive with direct knowledge of the matter said. Pratt & Whitney is carrying out an internal investigation into the problem which happened about 2 weeks ago. Early signs point to a manufacturing fault in the broken part, a person close to the matter said. <br/>
