The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to direct airlines to avoid flying Boeing 747-8 and 787 Dreamliners with General Electric engines near thunderstorms after some aircraft experienced ice build-up in their engines, reports Airwise News.
The US regulator said it would issue an airworthiness directive (AD) this week for planes powered by GE's GEnx engines.
"The AD is an interim action to make sure pilots avoid icing conditions that could affect engine power and possibly damage the engine," said the FAA.
The FAA also said it has been working closely with Boeing and GE to monitor and understand these events as the companies develop a permanent solution.
The 787 can be powered by either GEnx engines or Trent 1000 engines made by Rolls-Royce, while the 747-8 is powered exclusively by the GE engine.
Boeing advised airlines last Friday about a risk of engine icing problems on 747-8s and 787s with GE engines, urging 15 carriers to avoid flying them near high-altitude thunderstorms.
Airlines affected by the warning include Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, United Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways. The warning led Japan Airlines to pull 787s from two international routes.
Boeing spokesman Marc Birtel said the company has already alerted its customers who operate GE-powered 747-8 and 787 models.
"To reduce chances of ice crystal conditions, Boeing recommends that operators fly at least 50 nautical miles from thunderstorms that may contain ice crystals," said Birtel.
So far, Boeing has delivered 57 747-8s and 58 787s with GEnx engines, he added.
