Dreamliner nightmare investigated
Photos of an Air New Zealand Boeing 787 Dreamliner engine that failed this week in-flight show damage to multiple turbine blades, at the rear, suggesting a part broke off and travelled through the engine.
That engine, on Tuesday morning’s flight NZ99 bound for Tokyo with 282 people on board, had to be shut down when it caused the aircraft to shake violently.
Passengers heard clunking sounds and electrical power went out temporarily after takeoff from Auckland airport. The plane concerned, which was the first of the airline’s nine Dreamliners to go into service, has since been grounded.
On Wednesday, another Dreamliner bound for Buenos Aires also had to turn back to Auckland when problems arose with an engine. That engine did not have to be shut down in flight.
Air New Zealand said it was ‘‘extremely surprised by the two issues experienced this week’’.
Provided with photos taken of the NZ99 engine after it landed back in Auckland, a spokeswoman said: ‘‘The cause of these incidents is yet to be determined and this is the role of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission. But the damage sustained on Tuesday suggests an engine part has travelled through the engine.’’
An aviation source told Newsroom: ‘‘It is likely the damage has resulted from a failure of a turbine blade or blades in an earlier section that has been spat out the back with a domino effect.’’
Passengers had said the captain announced a minor technical problem with one of the engines. When the plane landed, firefighters sprayed the left side of the aircraft.
Air New Zealand told the NZ stock exchange and the travelling public the engine issue would result in cancellations to some flights over ‘‘coming weeks’’. It listed changes until tomorrow.
While the Dreamliner fleet was not grounded after the more serious Tuesday incident, Air NZ says both affected aircraft were taken out of service immediately upon landing back in Auckland.
The TAIC has opened inquiries into both events and will work with Air NZ, the engine maker Rolls Royce and safety regulators in Britain and the United States as well as aircraft manufacturer Boeing.
Its chief commissioner Jane Meares said investigators were reviewing aircraft records, including flight recorders, examining the engines and interviewing flight crew.
‘‘At this stage our investigation team is satisfied all parties are doing the right thing to ensure the continuing safety of the travelling public. Should the commission believe insufficient action is being taken at any time, then it has the ability to issue urgent recommendations while its inquiries continue.’’
The Air New Zealand incidents have been reported worldwide, including on the BBC and by global news agency Reuters. - This story was originally published on Newsroom.co.nz and is republished with permission.
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