Rolls-Royce Homes In on Cause of Trent 900 Failure

Rolls-Royce today confirmed that an oil fire led to the November 4 uncontained failure of a Trent 900 on a Qantas A380 on its way from Sydney to Singapore.

An advisory directive issued by the EASA on November 10 calls for repetitive inspections of Rolls-Royce Trent 900s every 20 flight cycles. (Copyright Rolls-Royce)

By Gregory Polek • Senior Editor

November 12, 2010

Rolls-Royce today confirmed that an oil fire led to the November 4 uncontained failure of a Trent 900 on a Qantas A380 on its way from Sydney to Singapore. In a statement issued this morning, the engine company said that the failure involved "a specific component" in the turbine area of the engine and led to the release of the intermediate pressure turbine disc.

A380 watchers continue to await word on the fate of Qantas's grounded fleet of six superjumbos after inspections prompted by the November 4 incident uncovered oil leaks in the turbine area of three engines on three different airplanes. Meanwhile, one of three Singapore Airlines A380s that underwent engine changes this week has returned to service.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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