RB211-524H-T
As alluded to in the thread on Freight Dogs, CV have had a spate of engine failures with the above engine during the last couple of months. The problem has been identified as a deformation of the casing causing a reduction in the surge/stall margins due to a distortion of the airflow through the HP compressor. The EEC autorecovers the EGT before crew action but of course the limits are exceeded and the engine has to be pulled.
Apparently RR do not know the reason for this situation which only happens in some engines (rumoured to be high time) and not others but it is causing a lot of angst in CV with schedules being disrupted and very unfavourable comparisons v. the GE engines in the fleet. A mod is in hand but will take a long time to incorporate throughout the fleet.
My question is, is there anybody in BA/CX/QF who can state whether these companies are suffering the same problems? Is it only apparent in the H-T or does it happen to the G/H also?
There is some speculation the the relatively high cycles in CV at high weights together with the high utilisation of a/c (15+ hours/day) may play a part. If it is apparent in other companies are there any new crew procedures being promulgated to alleviate this?
The problem is compounded by all the RR approved overhaul facilities being maxed out and the reputed overhaul time for an engine has increased from 120 to 180 days.
Anyone with any info?
Flightwatch