Canberra says 16 Qantas A380 engines need overhaul or replacement

SIXTEEN Qantas A380 engines require complete overhaul or replacement, says an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report on the engine failure on a Singapore to Sydney flight November 4 and subsequent A380 turnarounds since.

The ATSB said five engines have been replaced and all Airworthiness Directive and CASA requirements "are being met", said the Qantas press release.

The report noted the pilots ability to retain control of the aircraft and to land the aircraft safely but the aircraft involved in the incident will remain in Singapore for some time while Airbus develops and then undertakes a significant repair programme.

"The ATSB is satisfied that the action taken by Qantas addressed immediate safety of flight concerns in respect of the operation of its A380 aircraft equipped with Trent 900 series engines," said Qantas.

With CASA's [Civil Aviation Safety Authority] approval, two A380s have returned to service with Qantas voluntarily applying a range of conditions that include not operating the aircraft across the Pacific until further operational experience has been gathered.

Of these aircraft, Qantas has completed a one-off Trent 900 oil feed stub pipe inspection on the one to operate to London via Singapore with no problem, said the ATSB report.

Qantas will continue to operate a full international and domestic schedule and expects to make further announcements about the return to service of more A380s, before Christmas. In addition to the two aircraft that are back in service, two new A380s will be delivered and enter service in coming weeks, and another two are due for delivery in early 2011.

Qantas said it will continue to work with Rolls-Royce, Airbus and CASA on its ongoing Trent 900 inspection programme, and to support the ATSB's ongoing investigation in a statement.
(Source:www.schednet.com)