Trent 1000: Dreamliner engines need to be checked

Anyone buying a Boeing 787 must choose between two types of engines: the Trent 1000 from Rolls-Royce or the GEnx from General Electric. Inspections are now suspended for airlines that have selected the Trent 1000.

Because the European Aviation Authority ESA makes the corresponding instructions from Rolls-Royce mandatory with the Airworthiness Directive. It concerns welded pairs of blades in low-pressure turbines.

Engine shutdown imminent

“It was reported that during the engine inspection of some damaged parts, cracks and breaks were found in the welded area,” Issa said. If a large number of blade pairs are separated, this may alter the vibrations and cause the blade material to be released.

This, in turn, could lead to engine damage and its shutdown during the trip, the authority warns. However, this only threatens with a greater number of damaged parts. If cracks or breaks are found during the inspection, but not more than 32 pairs, only a short inspection period is necessary.

It’s not the first time Trent has had problems

Only if more than 32 pairs of blades are damaged, should the motor be taken out of operation and repaired. Operators must complete the inspection – on or off the wing – before the segment completes 30,000 flight hours or within 90 days of the airworthiness directive taking effect on September 5.

This is not the first time a Dreamliner has had problems with a Trent 1000. There were difficulties in 2016 and 2018, and then in 2020 the turbine blades caused difficulties.