In response to the High Pressure Turbine (HPT) blade wearing out sooner than expected in some Trent 1000 TEN engines, Rolls-Royce has agreed an accelerated inspection regime with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Rolls-Royce tested a sample of a population of Trent 1000 TEN engines that had experienced a higher frequency of flights at the upper end of their operating range. A small number of the engines needed to have their HPT blades replaced earlier than scheduled.

Rolls-Royce says the new accelerated inspection regime will allow it to confirm the health of the Trent 1000 TEN fleet over the next few months.

The Trent 1000 TEN engine has been in service since November 2017 and there are more than 180 in operation.

Enhanced blade

Rolls-Royce has already let airlines know that the HPT blades in these engines would have a reduced life. The company’s engineers are also developing and testing an enhanced version of the blade and expect to start incorporating these into the Trent 1000 TEN fleet in early 2020.

Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce, President – Civil Aerospace, said: “We sincerely regret the disruption this accelerated inspection regime will cause and we are doing everything we can to support our customer.”

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