Home
>
Newsroom
>
release
>
24 September 2004 - Final ATSB investigation report into the Boeing 767 uncontained engine failure near Brisbane, 8 December 2002
Media Release
Final ATSB investigation report into the Boeing 767 uncontained engine failure near Brisbane, 8 December 2002
24 September 2004
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has found that
fatigue cracking in the blade slots of a high-pressure turbine disk
led directly to the uncontained failure of the left engine of a
Boeing 767 aircraft that occurred near Brisbane on 8 December
2002.
The aircraft was operating a scheduled passenger service to
Auckland, New Zealand and was forced to return to Brisbane airport
after the failure. Damage to a wing leading-edge flap from engine
debris and the weight of the fuel being carried for the
trans-Tasman flight led the flight crew to perform a prepared
emergency landing, during which the passengers were instructed to
adopt the 'brace' position.
In its investigation report released today, the ATSB found that
growth of the slot cracking resulted in the fracture and release of
a large segment of the first-stage high-pressure turbine disk,
puncturing the engine casing and nacelle, before striking the
engine pylon and an adjacent leading edge flap panel. While the
reasons for the disk cracking were not conclusively established,
the ATSB found that several aspects of the disk manufacturing
process or subsequent repair operations could have contributed to
crack formation.
As a result of the investigation findings, the engine
manufacturer has implemented changes to the disk manufacturing and
repair processes and has revised the inspection requirements for
the disks fitted to the affected engine model. Both the US Federal
Aviation Administration and the Australian Civil Aviation Safety
Authority have mandated the new inspection requirements.
The full investigation report (200205780) is available from the
website, or
from the Bureau on request.
Media Contact: Peter Saint B: (02) 6274 6590, M: (0408) 497 016