The Mitsubishi Aircraft MRJ regional jet prototype that suffered an engine flameout last week has returned to the manufacturer's test base at Moses Lake, after replacement of the troubled engine.
Mitsubishi, however, says that its test fleet remains grounded as investigations continue to determine the cause of the flameout. The aircraft is powered by the Pratt & Whitney PW1200G.
"We are making our best efforts to determine the cause as soon as we can," says the Japanese manufacturer,
Asked whether it expects the engine issue to impact the aircraft's test schedule, it adds: "Although we are currently investigating the details, we don’t think it will affect the first delivery scheduled in mid-2020."
FTA-2's left engine had an "uncommanded shut down" during a test flight on 21 August, and had to make an unscheduled landing at Portland International airport. Mitsubishi had said that partial damage was found inside the engine. Neither the manufacturer nor the engine maker would provide more details on the damage when contacted by FlightGlobal.
The damaged engine was subsequently removed and sent to Pratt & Whitney. FTA-2 then returned to Moses Lake on 28 August after a replacement engine was installed, and after obtaining permission from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau.
Mitsubishi has four flight-test aircraft, and is working to deliver its first MRJ90 to launch customer All Nippon Airways in mid-2020.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
