QF Flight returns to SFO after engine blows up

[markis10]

Some interesting photos have been posted on pprune

Flickr: sb_sfo's Photostream

 

[Flying Fox]

Very interesting pics.

Whilst I understand that the holes in the outer casing aren't supposed to be there, the rest I'm unsure what I'm looking at...

 

[markis10]

Investigation Page: AO-2010-066

Update :

The ATSB investigation team has completed its preliminary examination of the engine in San Francisco. The engine is now being shipped to an engine facility in Hong Kong for a detailed disassembly and examination, under the supervision of ATSB investigators. The investigation is ongoing and also includes:

• detailed analysis of recorded flight data, with particular focus on analysis of engine operational parameters
• examination of aircraft maintenance documentation
• interviews with crew and passengers.

This page will provide future updates on any significant developments as they come to hand.

 

[Sprucegoose]

QF 747 Engine Failure - SFO Landing

The cause of this remains unknown (30 Aug incident).

Is there an industry view being formed on this incident, as it appeared to be quite severe.

I am sure QF remains below 'an industry failure rate' here, depsite some press reports indicatring the end of the world is nigh

Cheers

SPRUCE

 

[oz_mark]

Preliminary report is out

AO-2010-066

On 30 August 2010 at approximately 2330 Pacific Daylight Time, a Boeing 747-438 aircraft, registered VH-OJP, departed San Francisco International Airport on a scheduled passenger service to Sydney, Australia. As the aircraft passed through 25,000 ft, the aircraft's number-4 engine sustained an internal mechanical failure, resulting in the energetic release of debris and puncturing of the engine casing and nacelle. The engine was shut down and the flight crew returned the aircraft to San Francisco, where it landed without further incident.

 

[Sprucegoose]

The CX incident was an Aussie crew.

And this was highly praised within the organisation as well.

Did they get to the bottom of contanimated fuel out of Surabaya??

 

[jb747]

Without having any idea of why the engine failed (though I understand that RR worldwide had three that week), the guys did a very tidy job.

As for the CX event...I really haven't heard any follow up, so I don't understand the mechanics of what happened, but I'm bloody glad I didn't have to do it. An intact aircraft, with no injuries, is an excellent outcome, and not something that the majority of operators would have achieved.

 

[jb747]

Re: QF 747 Engine Failure - SFO Landing

Failures like that are unusual, but not rare. Rumour has it that RR suffered 3 that week, one on an A330, another on a test 787, and this 747. The GE CF6 had a bit of a habit of it for a while....

 

[oz_mark]

The last update of the CX incident I am aware of was in August. That report is here (pdf)

 

[jb747]

The last update of the CX incident I am aware of was in August. That report is here (pdf)

A very thin initial report. The flying side of this one is very interesting, and well outside of the normal. Making up the rules as you descend isn't a good place to be.

 

[markis10]

Final report is now out:

Investigation: AO-2010-066 - Uncontained engine failure and air turn-back near San Francisco Airport, USA, 30 August 2010

An investigation conducted by the engine manufacturer found that the engine failure was initiated by the fatigue fracture of a single stage-2 low pressure (LP) turbine blade. The ensuing rotor imbalance caused the LP turbine bearing to fail, which ultimately resulted in the uncontained release of debris.
As a result of this occurrence, the engine manufacturer released non-modification service bulletins NMSB72-AG729 and NMSB72-AG800; instructing operators of RB211-524 engine variants to fit a more robust LP turbine bearing, so as to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic engine failure resulting from rotor imbalance.