Design error caused A380 engine blow-up?12/2/10 AP - 2010-12-02. Qantas Airbus A380 accident.Earlier warnings blamed an oil leak for a fire and subsequent chain of failures that sent heavy parts flying off an engine on a Qantas A380 shortly after it took off from Singapore on Nov. 4, the most serious safety problem for the world's largest and newest jetliner. The ATSB (Australian Transport Safety Bureau) , which is leading the international investigation into the Qantas breakup, added some specifics on Thursday, saying a section of an oil tube that connects the high-pressure and intermediate-pressure bearing structures of the engine was the danger area. "The problem relates to the potential for misaligned oil pipe counter-boring, which could lead to fatigue cracking, oil leakage and potential engine failure from an oil fire," the ATSB said in a brief statement. It called the problem "a potential manufacturing defect." Counterboring involves placing a larger hole over a smaller hole to make room for a seal. The ATSB said a misalignment of those holes had produced a thinning of the oil pipe wall and fatigue cracks. That could have led to oil leaking into a section of the engine containing extremely hot gas — a mixture of burned fuel and air. If oil comes into contact with the hot gas, it will burn. "It is a design error and obviously a major one," said Peter Marosszeky, a jetliner maintenance expert at the University of New South Wales. |
