More than half of the Dutch airline’s 14 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft are currently on the ground. The reason is problems with the Pratt and Whitney engines.
With a fleet of 14 E2 jets to date, KLM is already one of the largest operators of Embraer’s new regional aircraft. Overall, the Dutch receives Airline at least 24 E2 family aircraft. However, of the 14 planes that fly for the regional subsidiary KLM Cityhopper, eight are currently on the ground.
This is unusual, especially for completely new planes. Some of the Embraer E195-E2 have not taken off since Christmas, others not since mid-December. Two machines have not been flying since autumn. The E195-E2 with the registration number PH-NXL, for example, took off for the last time on October 9th, the PH-NXC even on September 11th, 2022.
As with the Airbus A220
According to the Dutch portal Aviation news One reason for the fleet’s inactivity is that inspections are required on the engines of the E2, the Pratt & Whitney PW1900. The problem is the same as the Airbus A220 equipped with the related PW1500 engines.
For example, it was only recently announced that the Airbus A220 from Air Tanzania currently hardly take off. The airline said it was waiting for engine repair slots. Replacement engines were not available due to the tense situation at the manufacturer’s suppliers.
Airworthiness directive from USA
The American Federal Aviation Administration FAA recently issued an airworthiness directive for the engines. The reason for this is “an uncontrolled shutdown of two engines during landing, which led to an impairment of braking performance due to the loss of engine power and the hydraulic systems”.
The proposed airworthiness directive provides for an update of the electronic engine control software. However, the FAA states that this only takes two man-hours per aircraft. If that is also the reason for the parked planes at KLM, there are really hardly any slots available for repairs. In any case, illness also plays a role
