Regulatory Authority Investigating Two IndiGo Engine Shutdown Incidents

On the eventful date of August 29th, the airline encountered unsettling engine troubles during the course of two distinct flights.

In the early part of this week, a pair of aircraft owned and operated by IndiGo, the foremost aviation giant in India, found themselves enmeshed in exigent situations necessitating emergency landings, a direct result of engine complications that arose during their airborne journeys.

As fate would have it, while one of these aircraft adeptly managed to complete its intended voyage by touching down at its designated destination, the other faced an abrupt alteration of plans, compelling it to execute a swift about-face and return to the very point of its origin. Presently, the regulatory body overseeing aviation in India has embarked upon a thorough examination and inquiry into these perplexing events.

Precisely on the 29th of August, a pair of IndiGo flights were thrown into disarray by the sudden onset of engine issues that demanded immediate action. Notably, the first of these unanticipated landings was orchestrated by an Airbus A321neo aircraft, bearing the flight number 6E2012, which was steadfastly bridging the gap between Madurai in Southern India and the bustling city of Mumbai.

The precarious malfunction in one of the aircraft's engines manifested itself shortly before the plane's projected arrival in Mumbai, thereby prompting the vigilant flight crew to expedite a judicious landing maneuver. In an effort to provide clarity amidst the uncertainty, the airline swiftly issued an official statement disclosing that the aircraft was undergoing a comprehensive inspection upon reaching Mumbai.

In a sequence of events unfolding merely a few hours later, another of IndiGo's A321neos was confronted with a disconcerting stall of one of its engines, obliging the aircraft to abruptly abandon its course and return to its initial departure point in Kolkata. This particular aircraft was fulfilling the mission of flight 6E455, charting a route from Kolkata to Bengaluru, with takeoff transpiring at 14:29. As elucidated in a formal communiqué from IndiGo,

“Engine 2 stall occurred and Engine 2 oil chip detected warning came. Engine 2 was shut down as per the checklist and the aircraft landed safely.”

Presently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reportedly launched a comprehensive "technical evaluation" aimed at dissecting and comprehending the multifaceted challenges encountered by both these aircraft on that consequential Tuesday. Notably, it's of paramount importance to note that both these incidents involved aircraft that derive their propulsion from Pratt & Whitney engines.

For the aviation enthusiasts seeking to delve into specifics, the Airbus A321 undertaking the Madurai-Mumbai flight is formally registered as VT-IMV, boasting an operational history of 3.7 years. Its entry into the IndiGo fleet transpired in the month of December in the year 2019, and the aircraft's operational milestones reveal an impressive total of 9,278 hours spent airborne across an intricate web of 5,451 individual flight cycles, as documented up until May of 2023. After undergoing the necessary reparative measures executed by IndiGo, data gleaned from Flightradar24.com highlights a string of subsequent flights undertaken by the aforementioned aircraft.

In a parallel narrative, the other A321, affectionately identified by its registration code VT-IUF, shares similar attributes, boasting an equivalent operational lifespan of 3.7 years. With its introduction to the IndiGo fleet also transpiring in December 2019, this aircraft has impressively accumulated a total of 9,114 flight hours across an intricate web of 5,300 individual flight cycles, as reported up until May 2023.

The intricate tapestry of IndiGo's fleet composition paints a vivid picture wherein the airline heavily relies upon the Airbus A320 family of aircraft to cater to the lion's share of both its domestic and international flights. As a testament to the scale of its aviation endeavors, the airline's fleet encompasses a grand total of 327 aircraft, a figure that encompasses an assortment of 20 A320ceos, 171 A320neos, and 92 A321neos.

Additionally, the airline's operational ambit extends to encompass 40 ATR 72-600 planes, strategically deployed to service regional routes, along with the added dimension of two wet-leased Boeing 777s contributing to the airline's operational versatility.

It's noteworthy that approximately 40 of IndiGo's A320 family aircraft currently remain grounded, a consequence of intricacies linked to the Pratt & Whitney engines they house. Despite this, the airline remains steadfastly confident in its ability to sustain a commendable level of operational capacity, an assurance aimed at aptly addressing the anticipated demands of the upcoming peak travel season.

In an endeavor to fortify its fleet, IndiGo recently concluded a pivotal lease agreement, entailing the acquisition of 10 brand-new Airbus A320neo aircraft, a development facilitated in collaboration with BOC Aviation Limited.

As per the terms of this arrangement, all 10 of these cutting-edge aircraft are poised to be delivered during the course of the year 2023, each one propelled by the formidable CFM LEAP-1A engines, epitomizing the aviation industry's relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation.

 

Source: simpleflying.com