ATSB update on Qantas Trent 900 failure investigation

The ATSB has released an update of its investigation into the Qantas A380 engine disc failure in November 2010.

Highlights of the update include:

• The examination of relevant Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine data and a number of engine manufacturing processes is nearing completion.
• The ATSB has met with Rolls-Royce and Qantas Airways to update those parties on the progress of the investigation.
• The ATSB is continuing its examination of the circumstances and missed opportunities with the potential to have detected the reduced wall thickness and offset counter bore of the oil feed pipe prior to, during and after the manufacture.
• The ATSB has also reviewed the quality audits undertaken, and quality assurance system affecting the design and manufacturing process, and their effectiveness in detecting deficiencies in that process.
• Rolls-Royce has revised procedures for new structures that include feature verification and risk assessment during the design and manufacture process.
• The examination of airframe and systems damage that resulted from the engine disc burst has been completed. That examination did not reveal any significant or critical safety issues.
• Airbus has commenced working with a number of airport and rescue and firefighting agencies to develop an agreed safe means for those agencies to externally shut down engines on Airbus aircraft.
• The investigation is continuing and has progressed to the analysis of the large amount of complex factual information that has been gathered during the investigation.
• The final report is anticipated for public release in the third quarter of 2012.
  
  
  This story was first published on the website of our sister publication Aviation Business.