From the Australian Transport Safety Bureau:
The ATSB is investigating an occurrence involving a Qantas A380 aircraft that experienced engine failure over Batam Island, Indonesia on 4 November 2010.
The aircraft landed safely in Singapore having returned with the aircraft's No 2 engine shut down. There were no injuries.
Update: 6.55pm - 12 November 2010
Engine investigation
The examination under ATSB supervision of the No 2 engine turbine disk segment at the Rolls-Royce facility in Derby, United Kingdom is continuing. Boroscopic and other examination of the engine itself continues in Singapore.
EASA Airworthiness Directive (AD)
On 10 November 2010 (European time), the European Aviation Safety Agency issued EASA AD No: 2010-0236-E in respect of the operation of the Rolls-Royce PLC RB211 Trent 900 series engines. The airworthiness directive introduced a requirement for the periodic inspection of the high pressure/intermediate pressure engine structure for any abnormal oil leakage. If any discrepancy is identified, the further operation of that engine is prohibited.
The action by the European Aviation Safety Agency was based on a preliminary analysis of the circumstances of the engine failure by the European Aviation Safety Agency, which the agency said showed that an oil fire in the high pressure/low pressure structure cavity may have caused the failure of the intermediate pressure turbine disc.
Rolls-Royce announcement
This evening, Rolls-Royce announced that its own investigations had led it to draw two key conclusions:
'First, as previously announced, the issue is specific to the Trent 900. Second, the failure was confined to a specific component in the turbine area of the engine. This caused an oil fire, which led to the release of the intermediate pressure turbine disc.'
At this stage, the ATSB does not have enough information to comment on the first conclusion. The second conclusion is not inconsistent with the ATSB's work to date in Derby and Singapore. The ATSB supports any proactive safety action that is undertaken in response.
Ongoing ATSB investigation
The effort by the ATSB and investigation team to fully understand the nature and implications of the engine failure and its consequences is ongoing. The search for additional engine and other components on Batam Island, Indonesia enjoyed initial success, with the recovery of a small engine part. The search continues and it is hoped that additional large portions of the No 2 engine turbine disk will be located.
Preparations for the removal of the No 2 engine from the aircraft are nearing completion and it appears that the engine may be able to be removed from the aircraft somewhat earlier than initially planned. Once safely removed from the aircraft, the engine will be transported to a local engine repair facility for disassembly and technical examination under ATSB supervision.
In Australia, the flight crew interviews have been finalised and collated. Qantas has invited ATSB investigators to attend the cabin crew post-incident de-brief.