Boeing has asked Air India to avoid flying its 787s near thunderstorms, as it increases the risk of engine and airframe icing. The airline has changed its operating procedures accordingly.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation G M Siddeshwara said: "Boeing has issued an advisory to Air India to avoid flying the 787 aircraft near high-level thunderstorms due to an increased risk of icing on the General Electric GEnx engines used on it."
Siddeshwara said the problem was caused by ice formation behind the main fan of the engine, causing a brief loss of thrust, and that as a result, Boeing has modified the operating procedures for Air India’s 787s.