AAIA publishes final report on inflight shutdown incident of A330-343 passenger aircraft

     The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) today (December 17) published the final report (4/2021) on the investigation into an inflight shutdown incident involving an Airbus A330-343 passenger aircraft (registration mark B-HLN) operated by Cathay Pacific Airways Limited at Hong Kong International Airport on February 1, 2018.
 
     At about 9pm, shortly after the aircraft took off from Hong Kong International Airport, the electronic centralised aircraft monitor displayed a stall message with audible surge of the No. 1 engine, high vibration messages from the intermediate pressure rotating system and high pressure rotating system, as well as a low oil pressure message. An inflight shutdown was performed per standard operating procedures. The aircraft returned to and landed at Hong Kong International Airport with no injuries reported. During the initial ground inspection, metal debris was found in the jet pipe and the result of a borescope inspection also confirmed one high-pressure turbine blade fractured.
 
     After an investigation and subsequent analysis of collected evidence by a team of professional investigators in adherence to international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the occurrence was classified as an incident as per the criteria of the ICAO. The investigation concluded that the inflight shutdown was due to a high-pressure turbine blade fracture caused by sulphidation corrosion and high cycle fatigue. In consideration of the safety actions already taken by the European Aviation Safety Agency, Rolls-Royce plc, and the Civil Aviation Department, no safety recommendation is proposed.
     
     "The investigation report was published by the AAIA with the objective of identifying the circumstances and causes of the incident with a view to preventing a recurrence," an AAIA spokesperson said.
     
     Throughout the investigation, all parties concerned were properly consulted on the report. The report is available for download at the AAIA webpage (www.thb.gov.hk/aaia/eng/investigation_reports/index.htm).