UA Temporarily Grounds Boeing 772 (PW Power); returning to service: late May 2022
May 17, 2022, 9:09 am
#692
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,454
Here's a bit more background on the situation: the FAA today approved a fix for PW4000 engines, as well as an inspection protocol, for the issues that led to the catastrophic failure in February 2021 on the DEN-HNL flight. This will enable the entire fleet to return to service.
The recent issue, over the last few weeks, which set service entry back another month or so, was an airworthiness directive requiring inspection of the air/oil heat exchangers on the PW4000 series, which was necessitated following an inflight shutdown (IFSD) incident on a ferry flight from SFO-HNL, en route to maintenance at HKG. That IFSD event was related to an oil leak attributable to corrosion in the heat exchanger, which is likely a consequence of long-term storage. The AD, therefore, called for inspection fo the entire PW4000 fleet within 30 days of the AD's effective date, May 2, 2022. That wrinkle, separate from the AD from the Denver incident, was probably what led the company to scrap the PW4000-powered 777s from the June schedule only, effective the May 6 update.
You can read more of that here: https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2022-0386-0001
Presumably, the inspections are underway and no major anomalies have been identified, so a return to service (following today's approval of the major engine mod from the DEN incident) should be back on track.
The recent issue, over the last few weeks, which set service entry back another month or so, was an airworthiness directive requiring inspection of the air/oil heat exchangers on the PW4000 series, which was necessitated following an inflight shutdown (IFSD) incident on a ferry flight from SFO-HNL, en route to maintenance at HKG. That IFSD event was related to an oil leak attributable to corrosion in the heat exchanger, which is likely a consequence of long-term storage. The AD, therefore, called for inspection fo the entire PW4000 fleet within 30 days of the AD's effective date, May 2, 2022. That wrinkle, separate from the AD from the Denver incident, was probably what led the company to scrap the PW4000-powered 777s from the June schedule only, effective the May 6 update.
On November 9, 2021, a Boeing Model 777 airplane, powered by PW PW4077 engines, on a ferry flight from San Francisco, CA to Honolulu, HI, experienced an oil leak on the number 1 engine that resulted in an IFSD and air turnback to San Francisco, CA. A post-flight inspection revealed that the oil leak was from the air/oil heat exchanger. After this event, on December 19, 2021, the manufacturer was made aware of another oil leak related to the air/oil heat exchanger that was discovered during a post-flight inspection after the first flight out of storage. Subsequent investigation revealed 19 air/oil heat exchanger leaks occurred on the affected engines during the past year, which is significantly higher than the three to four air/oil heat exchanger leaks typically occurring each year. After further investigation, the manufacturer determined that the air/oil heat exchanger leak was due to corrosion. The manufacturer published Pratt & Whitney Special Instruction No. 255F-21A, dated February 15, 2022, which provides instructions for performing an inspection of the air/oil heat exchanger and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the air/oil heat exchanger. This special instruction also provides instructions for storing an air/oil heat exchanger after the inspection. This condition, if not addressed, could result in low oil pressure, failure of one or more engines, IFSD, loss of engine thrust control, reduced control of the airplane, and loss of the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Presumably, the inspections are underway and no major anomalies have been identified, so a return to service (following today's approval of the major engine mod from the DEN incident) should be back on track.
May 17, 2022, 12:21 pm
#693
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
Here's another article...I came to post thinking it was already covered and it was...Good work, FTers! But the interesting data point here is that the article suggest a return to service "as early as next week"...Should make for some interesting aircraft upgrades (and even downgrades) as they sub in and out.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/uni...?siteid=yhoof2
...Then watch for bedlam in the 'schedule change' threads. Those 'bout to get crazy for the summer here shortly!
https://www.barrons.com/articles/uni...?siteid=yhoof2
...Then watch for bedlam in the 'schedule change' threads. Those 'bout to get crazy for the summer here shortly!
May 17, 2022, 12:54 pm
#694
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 1,393
Would this have any impact on the July or August schedules? We're flying EWR-LAX-SYD and MEL-SFO-EWR. On the domestic legs we're on 757-200s and I'm trying to avoid a swap to a 772HD.
May 17, 2022, 1:05 pm
#695
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,454
If you do get a swap from a 752 to a 772HD, you could try calling in for a free change on the basis of a "change in seating configuration" or whatever the CoC defines under IRROPS.
May 17, 2022, 1:20 pm
#696
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: PDX
Programs: Mileage Plus
Posts: 139
United gets green light to return 52 of its 777s to service
United plans to return these 777s to service on a limited basis on May 26, initially operating domestic, hub-to-hub routes, Cirium schedule data shows. It will begin using them for Hawaii service in June, followed by international service.
May 17, 2022, 1:34 pm
#698
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
May 17, 2022, 1:42 pm
#699
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,605
May 17, 2022, 2:36 pm
#700
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, UA Silver, AA Gold
Posts: 494
This is my favorite one:
Right around 2:07
May 17, 2022, 2:49 pm
#701
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: 1MM, UA 1k
Posts: 529
May 17, 2022, 3:54 pm
#703
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SFO/JFK/MGA
Programs: UA 1P MM, AA-PP, AS, DL, HH G, SPG Gold, TA nada
Posts: 2,043
Agreed, it always just sounds so powerful. It always made me feel comfortable and will continue to do so. Oddly, actually, it always brings a tear to my eye, why I have no idea.
Last edited by zoegksf; May 17, 2022 at 3:58 pm Reason: additional sap..
May 17, 2022, 9:32 pm
#704
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,746
OMG, you reminded me of my first flight on a UA DC-10 in 1989. That buzzsaw sound was scary!! I had flown on a lot of narrowbody jets before that and had never heard anything like it...
Last edited by Unimatrix One; May 17, 2022 at 9:39 pm
May 17, 2022, 10:01 pm
#705
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,855
Getting back on topic
Andrew Nocella
So, late last night the FAA issued the final paperwork on our Pratt & Whitney-powered 777s which we have 52 of, represents about 10% of our capacity as a business. So it’s really, really material. They’ve been on the ground for well over a year. You really can’t rush safety, but we made it through the process and we expect to start flying the aircraft again ad hoc, probably within the next week, officially in a schedule on May 26 and then we’ll be ramping up to, partly about 30 to 35 aircraft by the time we get to July. So it is a pretty significant step-up change in our capacity and of course that capacity, the negative capacity has been hurting CASM-ex there is no doubt about that and getting the aircraft where you have pilots to fly and are ready to fly back in the air is going to be a real good tailwind.
So, late last night the FAA issued the final paperwork on our Pratt & Whitney-powered 777s which we have 52 of, represents about 10% of our capacity as a business. So it’s really, really material. They’ve been on the ground for well over a year. You really can’t rush safety, but we made it through the process and we expect to start flying the aircraft again ad hoc, probably within the next week, officially in a schedule on May 26 and then we’ll be ramping up to, partly about 30 to 35 aircraft by the time we get to July. So it is a pretty significant step-up change in our capacity and of course that capacity, the negative capacity has been hurting CASM-ex there is no doubt about that and getting the aircraft where you have pilots to fly and are ready to fly back in the air is going to be a real good tailwind.