China to take part in investigation of China Eastern flight

Chinese aviation authorities said Tuesday that they will join the investigation into the emergency landing of a China Eastern flight in Australia, and will consider issuing an airworthiness directive if it was caused by a design or manufacturing fault.

China Eastern Airlines flight MU736, heading to Shanghai Sunday night, was forced to return to Sydney when the crew noticed “cracks” on the Airbus A330’s engine cowling shortly after takeoff.

The crew made the “right decision” to return, and the plane landed safely with no reported injuries, according to Tang Weibin with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will look into the incident in accordance with the international civil aviation convention, while the CAAC and Rolls-Royce, manufacturer of the plane’s engine, will also participate in the investigation, he said.

There have been reports of similar trouble with the UK-produced Trent-700 engine, according to Tang.

The CAAC will be informed of the latest investigation findings, and will consider issuing an airworthiness directive if the incident was caused by a design or manufacturing fault, said Wang Jingling, another CAAC official.