RTX to take $3 billion charge on Pratt & Whitney engine problem

RTX said Monday that an engine manufacturing flaw forcing accelerated inspections will hit its pretax results this quarter by $3 billion, sending shares lower in premarket trading.

The problem stems from flaws with powder metal used to make some of the popular Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. That issue is forcing inspections on hundreds of engines ahead of schedule, depriving airlines of some aircraft during a travel rebound in the pandemic’s wake.

The engines power many of the popular Airbus A320neo planes and others.

RTX, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, reaffirmed its adjusted earnings estimates of $4.95 to $5.05 a share for 2023. But it said it expects a $1.5 billion hit to cash flow in 2025, bringing that estimate to $7.5 billion.

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