Lawmakers on the Legislature’s Transportation Committee yesterday asked that China Airlines (CAL) suspend services on its Airbus 330-300 models after three engine failures since the end of last year.
The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) confirmed yesterday that three Airbus aircraft experienced engine failures on Nov. 4, Dec. 25 and Jan. 24, forcing the pilots to return to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) told the committee that CAL had inspected the aircraft in the wake of the incidents.
Photo: CNA
The airline found that engine fan blades in all three aircraft had eroded before reaching the maintenance hours prescribed by General Electric Co (GE), the manufacturer of the engines.
Aside from replacing the engines, Mao said CAL had adopted stricter maintenance standards for their Airbus 330-300s and filed a complaint against GE.
CAA director general Yin Chen-pong (尹承蓬) said the engines shut down because of broken fan blades, adding that GE stated in its maintenance guidelines that Airbus 330-300 engines must be inspected after the aircraft has flown 18,000 hours.
Mao said GE needed to review maintenance procedures and problems related to blade erosion.
GE’s CEO had visited Taiwan to learn more about the incidents, Mao said.
Flight hours for the three Airbus aircraft were between 14,000 and 15,000 when the incidents occurred.
The airline said it had cut flight hour requirements from 18,000 to 12,000 between inspections, Yin said.
The carrier said it had already replaced or overhauled 30 engines used on its 17 A330-300 planes and expects to complete the process on the remaining 11 engines for the aircraft — including spares — by the end of May.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Yeh Yi-jin (葉宜津) asked why it took three similar incidents before a comprehensive inspection could be launched, adding that all CAL 333-model aircraft should be grounded pending the conclusion of an inspection.
Mao said it was up to professionals at the CAA and Aviation Safety Council to decide whether or not to ground the aircraft.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CNA
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