(Yicai Global) Feb. 23 -- None of China’s airlines have Boeing 777 aircraft fitted with the type of engine that burst into flames over Denver at the weekend, according to the country’s civil aviation regulator.

A United Airlines Boeing 777 with a Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engine was forced to return to Denver airport soon after taking off on Feb. 20 because one of its two engines caught fire, causing debris to fall on the city. The next day, Boeing recommended grounding 777s powered by that particular engine type until the US Federal Aviation Administration “identifies the appropriate inspection protocol."

The Civil Aviation Administration of China said it will continue to monitor the US investigation, Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday.

Only Boeing 777s use the Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engine, Xinhua said, citing a Feb. 22 tweet by the FAA. “Based on the initial information, we concluded the inspection interval should be stepped up for the hollow fan blades that are unique to this type of engine,” the FAA said.

China’s Boeing 777 fleet is powered by General Electric’s GE90 engine.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi