Pratt & Whitney is testing a new high pressure compressor (HPC) stator design on the PW2000 following cracking problems with the original unit which has led to at least two in-flight shut downs.
P&W says "vibratory pressures" have led to cracking in the 10th and 11th stage HPC stators. After a fleet-wide inspection the company has issued a service bulletin to either replace or repair affected units while it tests the new design. The in-flight shutdowns are believed to have affected Boeing 757-200s belonging to Delta Air Lines which temporarily grounded up to nine aircraft.
P&W says the problem is "not a safety of flight issue" and will be resolved with the revised unit which is designed to dampen the vibratory mode. P&W says it will be available in the third quarter of the year.
Source: Flight International
