Investigators Pinpoint Airbus Engine Fault

Following a Qantas engine explosion last month, investigators have isolated a major fault in some Airbus A380 engines, the BBC reports. Rolls-Royce’s Trent 900—the kind used on the Qantas flight—had a misaligned part that weakened an oil pipe wall, resulting in “fatigue cracking,” which led to leaking and a fire. Rolls-Royce says it has “instituted a regime of inspection, maintenance, and removal which has assured safe operation.”

Qantas has embarked on legal action against Rolls-Royce in case a settlement doesn’t pan out. Meanwhile, after grounding its A380 fleet for inspections, two are now back in service. The airline says there is “no immediate risk,” but it will carry out extra engine inspections. Singapore Airlines, another airline using A380s with the Rolls-Royce engine, says it checks its planes “daily.”
(More Airbus A380 stories.)