PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Tez Jet Avro RJ uncontained engine failure - March 2018
Old 9th Mar 2018, 13:46
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alf5071h
 
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The ALF 502 had a history of problems with the turbine bearings (4-5), these involved oil flow - overheat, oil coking, maintenance, filter clogged, ...
More often these issues resulted in a bearing failure, which in isolation was not a major problem - other than engine failure! However, because the 4-5 bearings were a combined package, so that if one or particularly both size it is possible to shear the main shaft due to a differential ‘clamping effect’.

The certification regulations on ‘containment’ require a narrow conical zone of airframe structure and systems which can tolerate debris exiting beyond the engine containment structure.
A major contribution to this safety requirement is that the engine main shaft should not break, not allowing turbine discs to move rearwards or change off axis angle, i.e. anything which can lead to tangental blade shedding or even disc failure outside of the certificated zone.

With continuing problems, the ALF 502 was subject to mandated modification requiring the redesign and change of the 4-5 bearing package. AFAIK all engines were been modified with a new single pack / combined bearing.
The LF 507 used a similar (identical) rear bearing, but I do not know if these engines were required to be modified; it would be surprising if not.

The picture indicates damage which involving multiple turbine blades shedding, typical of a shaft shear - a cut similar to circular saw close to the engine, but further out individual ‘shrapnel’ damage. I don’t recall any situations with a fractured turbine disc, or the disc leaving the engine area.

Dave #8, pedantically the RJ engine is the LF507-1F (FADEC); the -1H (Hydromechanical) was installed in a few late series 146-300.

TR #16, I do not recall any loss of fan blades, nor serious problems with the middle of the engine. A few early gearbox problems were cured, as was the manufacturing / quality issue which resulted in a centrifugal first stage compressor disintegrating.
As for external damage, as above, I can only recall one other adjacent engine failure due to uncontained blades - Aviasca.

Last edited by alf5071h; 9th Mar 2018 at 18:17. Reason: Typo
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