Investigation number
199500974
Occurrence date
State
New South Wales
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Abnormal engine indications
Occurrence class
Incident
Whilst on climb to FL410 the pilot requested a descent to FL270 due to a minor engine problem. A short time later the pilot advised he was shutting down the left engine and requested a return to Sydney for a priority landing. He also requested the aerodrome fire service to be placed on standby. The aircraft subsequently landed without further incident. It was later determined that the engine had suffered a 1st stage turbine blade failure. A metalurgical report subsequently determined that the failure was caused by fatigue crack growth which initiated from a stress concentrator in one of the blade cooling passages. It appeared that the stress concentrator was created during blade manufacture.
Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
The Boeing Company
Model
767-277
Registration
VH-RMH
Sector
Jet
Departure point
Sydney NSW
Destination
Melbourne VIC
Damage
Nil