Known blade issue caused Air NZ 787-9 engine failures

New Zealand investigators have confirmed that 2 engine failures on Air NZ Boeing 787-9s last December were caused by known issues with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) blades. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission’s interim report on the 2 failures, which occurred on ZK-NZE Dec 5, and ZK-NZF Dec 6, shows that both aircraft were fitted with ‘Package C’ Trent 1000 engines that failed after take-off from Auckland, forcing the aircraft to return. Examination of the engines found that they suffered major damage due to the separation of IPT blades, caused by corrosion fatigue cracking. The Commission noted that the IPT blade release was a “known problem with the Trent 1000” that required modification to the engine. <br/>