MUMBAI: Budget carrier IndiGo had to pull out one of its A320neo planes from operation after metal chips were detected in the jet’s engine oil at New Delhi airport and another aircraft due to a hydraulic leakage at Srinagar airport.
The two incidents, which took place in less than 12 hours, come days after the aviation regulator ordered the grounding of 11 A320neo planes, fitted with Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engines of a particular series, belonging to IndiGo and another budget carrier GoAir.
According to a source, the airline was forced to ground the A320neo aircraft, bearing registration number VT-ITX, after metal chips were detected in the jet’s engine oil after it completed the Bengaluru-New Delhi flight.
Hours later, the commander of its Delhi-Srinagar flight reported a hydraulic leakage from engine 2 of the A320neo upon its arrival at Srinagar, making it the fourth incident since the grounding of eight such planes from IndiGo’s fleet on March 12.
IndiGo, however, in a statement said that the aircraft was “proactively withdrawn” in Delhi for a maintenance check to attend to a defect reported by the pilot.
“These maintenance checks are part of a comprehensive program of early detection. During the maintenance check, metal chips were observed on engine number 1, (and) number 3 bearing chip detector, which is a known concern on the Neo engine,” the airline said.
Responding to the incident of hydraulic leakage, the airline, in a separate statement, said, “A320neo aircraft that operated Delhi-Srinagar was cleared after maintenance checks upon arrival at Srinagar airport. However, during engine start the Pilot-in-Command observed a hydraulic (not oil) leakage from #2 engine.”
The aircraft was immediately withdrawn to investigate the hydraulic leak and the aircraft was fit to fly after engineers fixed the problem, it added.
Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had on March 12 ordered the grounding of 11 A320Neo planes fitted with P&W1100 engines beyond ESN 450 series due to recurring problems, including mid-air shutdowns.
Of these, eight belong to IndiGo and the rest are of GoAir. Another three A320Neos of IndiGo are already on the ground since February.-PTI
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