Emirates A330 Fan Blade - DXB 18 Oct
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Emirates A330 Fan Blade - DXB 18 Oct
I was aboard an EK A330-200 inbound to DXB from BHX last Tuesday, and all had been quite normal until finals.
At what I'm guessing was 300 feet or so, a go-around was initiated. For those that know DXB we had crossed SZR. The go around was started with the usually quick application of heaps of power. This was followed just around 10 seconds later by a very distinct and quite loud bang, after which the number 2 engine was clearly responsible for a significantly changed cabin noise.
I was in Business, and looked out of my window to see that I could now see daylight through the cowling. The poor couple behind me who must have been in their seventies and were travelling to SYD via DXB to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, were noticeably shaken and clutching each other.
Completely uneventful (for us in the back anyway) go around and eventual landing after about 20 mins.
A couple of points come to mind though. There was no cabin announcement at all, and the purser or her crew weren't anywhere to be seen. Now, I understand that things in the flight deck would have been fairly busy, but it would have taken nothing for quick reassurance. As a passenger with at least a little knowledge (rotary experience and keen fixed wing interest), I found ,yself having to reassure all those around me, explaining that the crew would have trained all their careers for this and that it was nothing to worry about etc etc.... The crew should at least have had a walk through the cabin to see what the mood was and to be a reassuring presence.
We were met by a full emergency turnout and taxid off the active straight to a remote stand. Doors open and away we go.
I took the following pictures quietly from my phone.
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4796/image000va2.jpg
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3654/image002fn7.jpg
I wonder where the bits of cowling went to. Some poor chap walking through Deira now has RR stamped on his forehead maybe.
On the local Dubai news the other night, the whole thing was predicatbly denied in full. "Emirates has insisted that none of it's aircraft were involved in any incident at DXB on Wednesday morning this week". Only in Dubai!
I'm presuming that this was a fan blade problem?
At what I'm guessing was 300 feet or so, a go-around was initiated. For those that know DXB we had crossed SZR. The go around was started with the usually quick application of heaps of power. This was followed just around 10 seconds later by a very distinct and quite loud bang, after which the number 2 engine was clearly responsible for a significantly changed cabin noise.
I was in Business, and looked out of my window to see that I could now see daylight through the cowling. The poor couple behind me who must have been in their seventies and were travelling to SYD via DXB to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, were noticeably shaken and clutching each other.
Completely uneventful (for us in the back anyway) go around and eventual landing after about 20 mins.
A couple of points come to mind though. There was no cabin announcement at all, and the purser or her crew weren't anywhere to be seen. Now, I understand that things in the flight deck would have been fairly busy, but it would have taken nothing for quick reassurance. As a passenger with at least a little knowledge (rotary experience and keen fixed wing interest), I found ,yself having to reassure all those around me, explaining that the crew would have trained all their careers for this and that it was nothing to worry about etc etc.... The crew should at least have had a walk through the cabin to see what the mood was and to be a reassuring presence.
We were met by a full emergency turnout and taxid off the active straight to a remote stand. Doors open and away we go.
I took the following pictures quietly from my phone.
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4796/image000va2.jpg
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3654/image002fn7.jpg
I wonder where the bits of cowling went to. Some poor chap walking through Deira now has RR stamped on his forehead maybe.
On the local Dubai news the other night, the whole thing was predicatbly denied in full. "Emirates has insisted that none of it's aircraft were involved in any incident at DXB on Wednesday morning this week". Only in Dubai!
I'm presuming that this was a fan blade problem?
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If a fan blade, or part of it, had departed, there would probably be more than a loud bang and a change in cabin noise. You would no doubt also be able to feel vibrations.
The fan casing should be able to contain a separated blade. It also seem from you pictures that the holes are in the intake. I.e forward of the fan section.
It is possibly damage from a foreign object. Perhaps linked to the GA?
The fan casing should be able to contain a separated blade. It also seem from you pictures that the holes are in the intake. I.e forward of the fan section.
It is possibly damage from a foreign object. Perhaps linked to the GA?
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If a fan blade, or part of it, had departed, there would probably be more than a loud bang and a change in cabin noise. You would no doubt also be able to feel vibrations.
The fan casing should be able to contain a separated blade. It also seem from you pictures that the holes are in the intake. I.e forward of the fan section.
It is possibly damage from a foreign object. Perhaps linked to the GA?
The fan casing should be able to contain a separated blade. It also seem from you pictures that the holes are in the intake. I.e forward of the fan section.
It is possibly damage from a foreign object. Perhaps linked to the GA?
Fair point. No reason was given for the GA so who knows.
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I spoke to an engineer who met the aircraft when it came in and he tells me there are VERY spectacular photographs doing the rounds within engineering. I suppose it's only a matter of time before one shows up here. The way he spoke, part of the leading edge of the engine intake may well be gracing the roof of someone's factory in Deira.
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I am not familiar with the Trent on the A330 .... but looking at the damage, it might possibly be a pneumatic duct break causing an overpressure in the nose cowl (pressure relief panel not operating as it should). If the Fan blades had let go, then I would have expected damage all around the cowl, but even then not as far forward as the photo shows. Will await further info.
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It could be at a point of using large amounts of thrust that a failure might be more likely to occur, yes, however it would not be correct to say that a go around would cause it in isolation. Many have failed in cruise and climb as well, such as mid-Pacific United 777, and the infamous DC10 that caused hydraulic loss.
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Fan relative to nacelle - ( engine's running)
Last edited by forget; 21st Oct 2006 at 17:49. Reason: Added pic
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Purely speculative - but I have seen a case where a very tough foreign object was ingested, and a fan blade snagged it, tossed it back forward and outboard.
Never saw a duct penetration like this, however.
Never saw a duct penetration like this, however.
Nothing unique about this inlet penetration. Pieces get thrown forward and sometimes the inlet gets penetrated by the pieces that rebound off the hard engine made containment structure. take a look at the pics from the various similar events in Oz, regardless of the engine model.
The story behind this will be interesting when it comes out.
Who will conduct the investigation and where can we read the result?
That may seem a silly question but given the locale...
Who will conduct the investigation and where can we read the result?
That may seem a silly question but given the locale...
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Forward of the fan it may be, but only a departed blade would cause this type of damage.
That said, I do not know what caused the Emirates failure and I wouldn't want to speculate.
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No way a fan blade release. You'd notice it if it was. Kevlar everywhere, rest of fan blades all busted up etc.
Could be an annulus filler release, seen previously on T700.
Could be an annulus filler release, seen previously on T700.
Aforementioned annulus filler seems more likely.
http://www.easa.eu.int/home/files/easa_ad_2006_0116.pdf
AD issued 08th May 2006 in regards to T7 on A330 aircraft.
http://www.easa.eu.int/home/files/easa_ad_2006_0116.pdf
AD issued 08th May 2006 in regards to T7 on A330 aircraft.
and the supporting AD listed, against the annulus filler does not convince me that was the problem here.
