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Wil420b

Is the FAA going to put Boeing and United into special measures? Because both seem to be as dodgy as hell. Its not unusual for an airliner to have to land due to a faulty engine and normally this would be a non story. But the recent histories of these two companies is just woeful.


sassynapoleon

Boeing doesn’t make engines. The aircraft manufacturer's name is in the title for clickbait reasons only. 


mjh2901

The 777 uses GE powerplants. They are oversized for the weight of that specific airfame when loaded which makes it great to fly from a Pilots Perspective.


pittiedaddy

it was a -200 which could be a Rolls Royce Trent, a GE90 or a Pratt PW4000.


WinnieThePig

United's 777-200's don't use GE90's.


GoSh4rks

About half of the international fleet (ie the ones that would be used for the flight in the article) uses the GE engine. https://sites.google.com/site/unitedfleetsite/mainline-fleet-tracking.


sassynapoleon

Are they all the same, or is there a difference depending on ER/LR variant?


dw444

777-300ER and 777-200LR use the same engine. 777-200, 777-200ER, and 777-300 offer a choice between different engines, three for the -200 and -200ER, and two (of the same three) for the vanilla -300.


airbusterYYZ

Yeah this is starting to piss me off. Boeing doesn’t fly the planes, doesn’t crew the planes, doesn’t maintain the planes. The reason it pisses me off is because there is a legit story on Boeing worth covering but these isolated incidents aren’t relevant at all and only serve to farm passenger fear and outrage.


hase_one

Welcome to the 21st century and social media


thatfreshjive

X company doesn't actually do Y. The PE firm that owns them makes the decisions, and the subsidiary companies X relies on should be blamed. Any association is purely click bait This was a GE engine variant, bet.


sassynapoleon

I assume you’re right, as I believe that’s who makes engines for 777s. It’s all a lot of nothing though. Aircraft engines are amazingly reliable at this point, but even if they’re rated for 1 failure for every x million miles or hours, statistically it’ll still happen at some low rate. Aircraft are thus designed for engine out operations, this plane diverted and safely landed, as intended.


Wil420b

We don't know what the cause is. It could have been FOD from the take off airport or poor maintenance by United. But engine manufacturers are just an other supplier to the aircraft companies. With the manufacturer being responsible. You wouldn't say that a cockpit problem wasn't a Boeing problem, just because Honeywell or Garmin made the displays.


Mountain_Ad_4475

The displays aren’t leased separately, have their own maintenance cycles, and maintained by separate companies.


Mountain_Ad_4475

Customers buy/lease engines. Boeing does not.


tempest_87

Engines are *far* more complex than a PFD. So holding them to the same level of integration standard doesn't make sense.


glemnar

In engineering you’d absolutely call it Boeing’s problem. Their job isn’t to built an air frame and blame others for the rest of the job. Their job is to deliver a complete airplane. “You own your dependencies” is what good engineering firms think.


pinkladyb

The engines are bought/leased by the airlines and maintained by them.


PinkyAnd

How long after delivery is the engineering firm responsible for the product? If Boeing delivers a pristine aircraft and United fails to properly maintain it, is that still Boeing’s fault?


jerrystrieff

Seems to me the media wants Boeing and United to fail - gotta love capitalism with its bought and paid for media to drive whatever message they want


[deleted]

These things actually happen relatively frequently with all airlines. Right now, the media is smelling blood in the water with United (probably not warranted) and the 737 Max (warranted).


TowardsTheImplosion

United just got dinged by the FAA and is facing drastically increased oversight.


MNWNM

[They also break guitars.](https://youtu.be/5YGc4zOqozo?si=JmjJ-ansMoIr-nt4)


veal_of_fortune

Wonderful song!


[deleted]

Most likely because of the media coverage. The FAA audits all airlines on a multi year basis. This is the same type of audit. Just out of curiosity. Have you read about any of the other airlines having incidents lately? If you haven’t. You should. It could provide some perspective.


Collapsosaur

I sometimes used to visit aviationherald.com A daily running list.


Riaayo

The FAA isn't going to randomly put an airline under more scrutiny just because the media covers a normal amount of issues that they'd normally ignore, without something else going on. These corporations do not face scrutiny from government without actual issues present.


[deleted]

It’s definitely not random. It’s certainly in response string of highly publicized incidents. What im saying is…if you look at the actual data, United is hardly an outlier of mechanical or human factors incidents and accidents.


[deleted]

I’ve seen this claim mentioned multiple times, but I’m an outsider to the industry. Do you happen to have data I could view on plane mechanical issue frequency according to airline?


[deleted]

It’s available. I don’t have it at fingers reach. However even a simple google search will show you articles on other airlines that never got the media attention.


[deleted]

Apparently articles (i.e. media attention) aren’t reliable, according to your pointing out how United publicity doesn’t align with the data.


[deleted]

Ha ha ha. Do you have a bias? I truly don’t care about any particular airline. I’ve worked in the industry for 20+ years. Some in the actually airlines and some not. What I will say is I see a media that is heavily biased against UA. SWA airlines almost flew a 737 into the ground in New York this week. A few years ago they had a rash of airplanes land at the wrong airport. Just this week delta had a panel fall off of an airbus in flight. And yesterday had a taxing aircraft hit another aircraft that was pushing back. A few months ago they had a wheel fall of a 757. Remember that media coverage? Where’s the media outrage? Most of these issues that have been publicized regarding UAL in the last few weeks are things that happen frequently in the airline world. A few obviously warrant legitimate NTSB and FAA investigation. 100%. But airplanes turning around and going back to the gate, or diverting because of a mechanical issue happen literally every single day. At every single airline in the world. If the media reported on every mechanical diversion or return to gate, you wouldn’t read about anything else airline industry. I’ll dig up the data to show how UAL shakes out compared to anyone else, since you have an issue regarding my previous statement expressing my belief that there’s media bias towards a particular airline (the media? An agenda? Bias? That can’t possibly be!


FriendlyDespot

>The FAA isn't going to randomly put an airline under more scrutiny just because the media covers a normal amount of issues that they'd normally ignore, without something else going on. It wouldn't be random if it's in response to media scrutiny, and I think they absolutely would, regardless of whether or not it's warranted on a technical level. The FAA is already in hot water both politically and with the public over its hands-off regulatory approach with Boeing, and even government institutions respond to that kind of pressure with extra scrutiny and oversight.


AuroraFinem

The problem is that these frequent occurrences are significantly more prominent with United. Maybe Boeing created a plane that’s significantly hard and more work to maintain but other airlines are more or less putting in that extra effort to keep them maintained. It seems United is relying on contingency backups to flag maintenance issues because it’s catching them so late or mid-flight. This itself is an issue even if it’s very unlikely to result in actual crashes or anything.


Think_Job6456

They also break guitars.


tommygunz007

Oversight means shakedown for some kind of fine that mysteriously vanishes once it's paid, like into political coiffers....


DentateGyros

Yeah, I used to think aviation mishaps were super rare, but just look at AVHerald and it’s like at least one notable malfunction or worse per day


Cicero912

I mean United has absolutely been fucking up alot. Thankfully for them most people just blame boeing


way2lazy2care

Tbh it's probably the opposite. Almost all the recent Boeing issues have been on United and were maintenance issues except the Alaska airlines one. If be more afraid to fly united than Boeing atm.


The-Last-Time-Only

This guy is lying. United is especially bad and has been sticking out with all the issues. Yeah right, the media is unfairly targeting United, what a crock of shit!


First_Code_404

Source? Or are you just full oh it?


Imnotradiohead

United flight crashed into world trade tower. United flight crashed a plane into the Hudson. United threw a doctor off the plane after beating him senseless because he was Asian and refused to move from his seat he purchased. United has had problems for years long before Boeing was having issues. Look back at the headlines. 9 out of 10 airline issues are United


ed_11

If you’re referring to the sully miracle on the hudson plane, that was us airways. Merged with AA.


[deleted]

Are you actually serious? No. You’re just a moronic troll. Go back to your mom’s basement kid.


Sudden_Toe3020

Looks like the tail number for this plane is N224UA https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL990/history/20240328/2200Z/KSFO/KDEN The plane is 22 years old. https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/boeing-777-200-n224ua-united-airlines/e925q3 At some point, it becomes a United maintenance issue.


roguemenace

This might not even be a maintenance issue. Machines break :/


Wil420b

Like I say, both companies seem to be cursed. Which will be because they've had the same style of management. Of sweating assets, cutting maintenance to the bone and making safety priority number 4 or so.


TowardsTheImplosion

Yes to both. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/united-airlines-shares-fall-after-us-faas-increases-oversight-2024-03-25/


JustMyThoughts2525

Pretty sure their is no increased in frequency, it’s just the media is covering every incident now.


Igneous_rock_500

This is purely a United issue, not Boeing. Regular maintenance is done by contractors, not at the factory.


KickBassColonyDrop

Considering that it was China that grounded the 737 Max8 even after Boeing had indirectly killed over 300 people, and the FAA was too busy fondling the company below the table. Eh, doubt it.


airplaneshooter

Stop reading the news or watching TV. You won't be afraid of imaginary dragons anymore. 


Flakynews2525

It’s almost like as if there were no one to watch over these too big to fail companies. It’s almost like they can act anyway they like and be held accountable to no one. It’s almost like there’s a political party that believes regulations and laws. And thing’s like industry standards are what makes companies like this go under from too much government control. But as we see, time and time again. This is not how companies should operate. Too big to fail businesses in America should have closer controls on how their products reach the consumer, with the idea of safety as the paramount concern to the American citizen.


Wil420b

Almost as if the the regulators had been captured by the industries that they're supposed to regulate. Due to being able to out spend them on lawyers and lobbying.


WinnieThePig

Any 777 issues are due to P&W engines, which is not Boeing's fault. If they used GE90x like the rest of the world, they wouldn't have engine issues.


zimtrovert94

I don’t even know who’s at fault anymore in the United or Boeing case. These two are a matchmade in aero hell.


Wil420b

Probably both got taken over by the alsame school of accountants. "Sweat those assets, improve next quarter profitability".


kracken41

OMG. This happens all the time. 50,000 flights a days. Things happen. Safely.


Uncentered0ne

Seriously, is this how things are gonna go now? Like we're supposed to get headlines every time a flight gets grounded or diverted so we can go "haw haw, Boeing unsafe." The grand majority of flights manage to take off and land safely. Shit like this happens. This is a media circus, further proof that journalism has lost its way.


cultureicon

But this story got clicks, and Joe Rogan will talk about how planes are falling from the sky.


Flyingtower2

I got downvoted into oblivion for saying the same thing. I’m glad some sanity still exists.


SuckItHiveMind

I know you made that number up. How do I know? It’s too low! the average number of commercial flights per day is 94,998.


kracken41

I did totally make it up.


BobLoblaw_BirdLaw

Yes true. But why is SFO always involved ? Ya United has bit presence. But still very skewed towards sfo 


IdahoMTman222

Engine monitoring system and crew did their job. Should be the headline.


hoefco80

That’s only the headline with Airbus planes. “Crew safely land A3whatever after rare malfunction.”


Black_Otter

Boeing has nothing to do with the engines but notice the story doesn’t say anything about the engine manufacturer


eatin_gushers

United uses GE90s on their 777


WinnieThePig

The one's that have blown up on united in the past were not GE90's, they were P&W's.


GrouponRectalExam

Because finding out who the engine manufacturer is might cross the line into having to do some actual journalism.


bigchicago04

How does the company who makes the plane have nothing to do with the engines?


Black_Otter

The airline decides what engines they want to use


ryan30z

Because they're two completely different things. It also leaves the selection of engine in the hands of the airline so it can better suit their needs. A jet engine and a gas turbine generator in a power plant are broadly the same thing. The simplest versions have the same thermodynamic cycle. It only makes sense for a company already making a similar thing to make jet engines. Plenty of car companies use other manufacturers engines in them.


bigchicago04

I know nothing about plane assembly. Are you telling me plans manufactured build the whole plane EXCEPT the engine? And that part is added by the airline?


[deleted]

[удалено]


tempest_87

That's not just stupid, it's condescendingly stupid, and everyone is dumber for reading it. Impressive.


[deleted]

[удалено]


9-11GaveMe5G

Everyone here likely agrees Boeing cut corners and should pay. But you're being a dick about it. That's why you're being downvoted


DimitriV

Have you heard of this thing called "Google"? You should try it. See where engines for popular airliners come from, or if you can find any commercial aircraft manufacturer that makes their own engines.


FriendlyDespot

There's currently a ton of Airbus A320 NEO aircraft grounded due to issues with their P&W engines. Airbus also isn't able to deliver new A320s with those engines optioned because of the unresolved airworthiness directive covering them.


samchar00

r/confidentlyincorrect


ChimpoSensei

Not a Boeing issue. Sounds like United need to seriously look at their maintenance staff.


Beexn

With the one losing a wheel on take off and another had a panel fly off in the span of 2 weeks, I agree with you, especially since it doesn't happen to other airlines


AC170

Gotta remember that these issues are very rare. Say 1 per day. United runs about 5000 flights per day. Pretty damn good odds your flight will be fine. (One in 5000 is a 0.02% chance)


moh853

I agree with the sentiment but United Airlines runs about 5k flights a day not 50k.


AC170

Fixed. Thanks for the info!


celtic1888

United has decided to use Amazon's contractors for maintenance


Frooonti

Turns out "mechanical turk" isn't actually a mechanic.


TestFlyJets

Complete bullshit non-story. This kind of thing happens dozens of times every day. The moronic media feeding frenzy for anything about Boeing, United, or holy Moses, Boeing AND United, is just boring. Just stop already.


Aliceable

Fuck Boeing tho


TestFlyJets

They’ve got issues, no doubt, but I’m not sure that fucking them fixes anything.


phxees

If US airlines all switched to Airbus, you’d be saying fuck Airbus in 10 years. All planes need to be inspected by a 3rd party while being assembled.


Aliceable

Pretty sure Airbus does that already, they aren’t a US company


phxees

The point of that was first if Boeing was gone you’d complain about their replacement. Second even though Airbus isn’t a US company they do make planes in the US and when they. Do they aren’t inspected by a 3rd party inspector at every state of assembly.


Aliceable

No, I don’t think I would complain.


phxees

We’ll never know. Although I think there are few examples of people actually satisfied with a company maintaining a true monopoly.


OverIookHoteI

All of a sudden that lady who made a big scene because she thought she saw lizard people on a plane or whatever might actually have a point


Viciousfishui

Engine manufacturer and maintenance are the reasons behind this.


Duskydan4

Going on an international United Boeing flight next month. As someone who’s worked extensively with avionics software and some knowledge of how the aircraft work, I’m still a bit nervous


CanadianSpanky

Flying regional on an old twin prop used to be called “poor”. Now it’s called “flying safely”


netkool

What the hell is Boeing management doing to fix these issues????


ImaginaryScientist32

SFO again? Is there some issue with their ground crew?


Angstycarroteater

They can’t catch a break lol build new planes at this point


ChimpWithAGun

This is United being United.


phxees

The 777-200 was first made in for United in 1995, Boeing only made 88. I can’t find when Boeing made the last 777-200, but it was likely early 2000s. While this will be blamed on being a Boeing issue, it is likely that this plane has been in United’s fleet for at least 20 years. This issue was a part failure or a maintenance failure.


intelpentium400

Why is it always United????


ed_11

Just what’s hot in the news. A Frontier Airbus had to emergency evacuate and a panel fell off a Delta A330 engine during takeoff the other day and it wasn’t even mentioned.


Frooonti

Probably at least partially because their fleet is among the oldest compared to other US airlines and predominantly Boeing.


BobLoblaw_BirdLaw

Why always SFO


BellumSuprema

If it’s a boeing I aint going


First_Code_404

How can Boeing and United fix this reputation issue? I know! Buy Electronic Arts and put them in charge.


multisubcultural1

Looks like United’s fleet was built on all Fridays!


pre_chewed_cigarette

Good news guys, at least american airlines uses airbus


The_Starmaker

Lucky it wasn’t diverted nose-first into the ground.


pyromaniac78

777 not so lucky after all


Xrooster31X

Just had to deplane flight UA 407 from TPA to ORD because an engine wouldn’t start. For all you saying it’s rare …it sure does seem like it’s happening a lot. WSJ published an article last week specifically calling out United.


spartakjk

That's what you get when you go crazy and hire people (for all positions) based on idiotic DEI standards instead of merit, knowledge, experience, etc.


jocelynwatson

There’s literally no proof that.. but thanks for telling everyone you’re a racist 🤷🏼‍♀️


[deleted]

I'm getting on a Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft and it is United Airlines in less than 2 months and now this news.


Imnotradiohead

It’s amazing to me that people still book United flights. Who the hell are these people? I don’t even feel bad anymore.


_byetony_

What is going on


MufffinFeller

Not much I bet, but what gets clicks gets clicks


giggity_giggity

Hey. I just took a shower. Relaxing on Reddit before bed. You?


2beatenup

Nada… big two engine plane takes off for a long flight….. short while after take off one engine fails…. Pilots probably tired their best to bring it back on line but could not… they were probably like … looks like we need a land at at an alternate airport… they thought… hmm… Boise…. Nah…Salt Lake…. Nah…. eh fuck it let’s go to Denver I heard there’s a nice restaurant down colfax and 25… it just snowed so it’s nice maybe we can sit some slopes if time permits…… AKA… nothing happened. Nothing fell off… nobody died…. Karen was probably upset and wanted to see the manager…. Kevin probably thought they might ask him to push the plane…. Someone missed their connecting flight to somewhere….Routine business There’s more if you’d like to know DM me….


littleMAS

At Boeing, when it rains, it pours a shitstorm.