Hell YES Flapping Madly your views are welcome and valid. What you posted in the vernacular is what most of us are thinking.
TURBINE D
Can you think of the last time a licensed engineer did not tighten up an oil joint properly?
You think his mobile 'phone went off and distracted him? I am REALLY struggling with this excuse.
Seriously...an oil coupling on a unit that already has a history of oil pipe issues?
Look at this flight level...
A Qantas Airbus A380-800, registration VH-OQC performing flight QF-31 from Singapore (Singapore) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was enroute near Delhi (India) when the crew noticed that the oil quantity of engine #4 (Trent 972, outboard right hand) gradually decreased. The crew continued to London crossing the European Airspace until 125nm eastnortheast of London at FL380 and landed safely on London's runway 09R.
The airplane subsequently remained on the ground in London, the return flight QF-32 was performed by VH-OQG instead. VH-OQC was able to depart for its next flight QF-10 about 18 hours after arrival in London.
The Australian Transportation Safety Board (ATSB) reported that following the landing an engineering inspection revealed "that the fitting of the external HP/IP oil line had less than the required torque". The engine power was reduced to idle at some stage of the cruise for the remainder of the flight.
Radar data show the aircraft passed Moscow (Russia) at FL381 (11600 meters) about 3 hours prior to landing, descended to FL380 upon reaching Latvia and continued until a point 125nm eastnortheast of London at FL380 before beginning the descent into London.
Source: Aviation Herald
"The engine power was reduced to idle at some stage of the cruise for the remainder of the flight."
At 38k feet with one on idle? Light load? Other three on 97% throttle?