On February 20, a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW4077 engines climbed out of Denver International Airport, when the crew of the aircraft deck chased the engines in anticipation of turbulence. However, a significant bang was heard, followed by a fire coming from the right car, forcing the pilots to bring the jet back to its departure airport. There has been a significant setback in this incident, causing legal action, including two additional lawsuits that were revealed this week.
A scary moment
According to NBC News, two passengers who were on board the plane when they had to make an emergency landing after debris fell over Colorado are asking for legal action. Each lawsuit is filed separately in Chicago, the home of the legacy carrier. The two files are Joseph McGinley from Honolulu and Jonathan Strawn, based in Sioux City.
The couple stated that they had ‘suffered personal, emotional and financial injuries’ after the flight. Eventually, they say they feared the 777 would crash after the explosion and flash of light.
Although no injuries were reported on the plane or on the ground, Chicago attorney Robert A. Clifford highlighted the emotional trauma associated with such an event.
“Imagine a passenger looking out the window of an airplane and helplessly looking at the engine,” Clifford said in an announcement of the lawsuits, as reported by NBC News.
“The horror you experience lasts a lifetime.”
Broader action
This news follows the announcement of a class action lawsuit filed in a Colorado court last month. Plaintiff’s legal representatives allege that the incident could have been avoided if United had adequately examined the fan blades of the engine.
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In total, the National Transport Safety Council (NTSB) published an update in early March on its investigation into the matter. The group said they found numerous origins of fatigue fractures on a fan blade that was broken 7.5 inches above the base at its trailing edge. The second broken blade showed indications of failure of overload, corresponding to secondary damage.
“The initial review of the maintenance and inspection data for the blade with the fatigue fracture showed that it has experienced 2 979 cycles since its last inspection. This blade was subjected to acoustic image inspections in 2014 and 2016, ” shared the NTSB in a statement.
“Inspection data collected during the 2016 inspection was re-examined in 2018 due to an incident on February 13, 2018 with a Boeing 777 with Pratt & Whitney PW4077 engines.”
Send reinforcements
United had to land 24,777s affected by an airworthiness guideline by the FAA. As a result, the airline of its Boeing 767-400ERs is re-entering the air. The carrier will no doubt want to ensure that the problem is solved safely.
Simple Flying reached out to United Airlines for further comment on the reports. We will update the article with any additional information from the carrier.
What are your thoughts on United Airlines facing more lawsuits over the 777 engine incident? How will the situation expand in the future? Let us know what you think in the comments section.