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9-Dec-2010 10:52 AM

Australian Transport Safety Bureau states global check finds problems in three Trent 900s

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) stated a global check of Rolls-Royce's Trent 900 engines have found issues with three of the engines, which have now been removed from the A380s for further checks (Bloomberg, 08-Dec-2010/The Australian/Sydney Morning Herald, 09-Dec-2010). Another 42 engines have been cleared. The three engines are on operating A380s, spares and aircraft due to be delivered. The findings showed a boring defect in the problem engines' oil pipes, like the one involved in the Qantas 04-Nov-2010 incident. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce confirmed one of the problem engines was on one of its undelivered aircraft, due before Christmas. The delivery of the aircraft is now expected to be slightly delayed, but Mr Joyce stated he did not believe the finding would disrupt plans to resume operations of the remaining four grounded A380s by Christmas. All engines on Qantas' A380s now in service have no defects. A Lufthansa Trent 900 is also believed to be one of the problem engines.

  • Qantas has extended the suspension of A380 services to Los Angeles until mid-Jan-2011 (Routes Online, 08-Dec-2010).
  • Rolls-Royce lawyers failed to turn up to a hearing over Qantas' compensation case against the company at the Federal Court in Sydney on 08-Dec-2010 (Sydney Morning Herald, 09-Dec-2010). Qantas submitted a letter from Rolls-Royce calling for parts of an affidavit regarding arrangements between the companies to be kept confidential.
  • Singapore Airlines plans to resume some A380 services to Sydney on 10-Dec-2010 (The Australian, 09-Dec-2010).

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