Boeing recommends suspending operations of 777s with PW4000 engines after explosion incident

CHICAGO - US aircraft manufacturer Boeing said in a statement on Sunday that it recommended suspending operations of its 777 airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines until the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identifies the appropriate inspection protocol.

"While the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) investigation is ongoing, we recommended suspending operations of the 69 in-service and 59 in-storage 777s powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines until the FAA identifies the appropriate inspection protocol," the company said.

A Boeing 777-200 flight from the United Airlines made an emergency landing at Denver International Airport on Saturday after the right engine suffered a failure and exploded mid-flight.

All the 241 people on board, including 231 passengers and 10 crew members, were deplaned unharmed. Debris falling from the burning engine was scattered across three nearby neighborhoods, causing no injuries.

Earlier on Sunday, United Airlines said it was removing 24 of its Boeing 777s from service after the FAA said the agency will issue an emergency directive and require stepped-up inspections of Boeing 777 flights with the same type of engine involved in the Denver explosion accident.