Date: 1st December 2024
Location: Iraqi Airspace, diverted to Kuwait City, Kuwait
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9, registration A9C-FB
Operator: Gulf Air
Flight Number: GF-5
Route: Bahrain to Manchester, UK
Occupants: Unknown
Injuries: None reported
Summary of Events
On 1st December 2024, Gulf Air flight GF-5, a Boeing 787-9 operating from Bahrain to Manchester, experienced an in-flight engine shutdown while cruising at FL380 in Iraqi airspace. The left-hand engine (Rolls-Royce Trent 1000) reportedly emitted smoke and fire approximately 1.5 hours into the flight, prompting the crew to shut the engine down and declare an emergency. The aircraft diverted to Kuwait International Airport and landed safely on Runway 15L about 35 minutes later.
A replacement Boeing 787-9 was dispatched to Kuwait and completed the journey to Manchester with a delay of approximately 25 hours. The incident aircraft remained grounded in Kuwait for further inspections.
Aircraft Information
The Boeing 787-9 is a long-range, wide-body aircraft equipped with two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The Trent 1000 has faced multiple operational challenges in recent years, including durability issues in the turbine blades and intermediate-pressure compressor.
Sequence of Events
1. Cruise Phase:
• The aircraft was cruising at FL380 in Iraqi airspace, about 150 nautical miles north-northwest of Kuwait City.
2. Engine Malfunction:
• A passenger reported observing fire and smoke emanating from the left-hand engine (Trent 1000).
• The crew received indications of a critical engine issue and followed standard operating procedures to shut the engine down.
3. Diversion Decision:
• The crew declared an emergency, turned the aircraft back towards Kuwait City, and initiated a descent to a lower altitude suitable for single-engine operation.
4. Safe Landing:
• The aircraft landed without further incident on Runway 15L at Kuwait International Airport approximately 35 minutes after the engine shutdown.
• Emergency services inspected the aircraft upon landing.
Initial Findings
Possible Causes of Engine Malfunction
1. Compressor or Turbine Damage:
• Potential damage to the engine’s intermediate or high-pressure compressor stages could explain the reported fire and smoke.
• Known durability issues with the Trent 1000 could be a contributing factor.
2. Oil or Fuel Leak:
• A leak in the engine’s lubrication or fuel systems might have caused a fire.
3. Foreign Object Damage (FOD):
• The engine may have ingested debris, leading to internal damage and overheating.
Maintenance Actions
Following the incident, the occurrence aircraft underwent the following:
• Engine Inspection:
• Thorough examination of the left-hand engine to assess damage and identify the root cause.
• Airframe Inspection:
• Checks for secondary damage from fire or heat exposure.
• System Diagnostics:
• Analysis of onboard data to determine pre- and post-failure engine performance.
• Engine Replacement or Repair:
• Depending on the extent of damage, the engine may require repair or replacement.
Safety Risks
1. Single-Engine Operations:
• Prolonged operation on a single engine increases risk, particularly over hostile or remote regions.
2. Potential Fire Risk:
• An in-flight engine fire poses significant safety hazards to passengers, crew, and the aircraft.
3. Diversion Challenges:
• Limited suitable diversion airports in the region can complicate emergency landings.
Recommendations
1. Enhanced Engine Monitoring:
• Utilize advanced diagnostic tools to detect early signs of Trent 1000 performance degradation.
2. Fleet-Wide Inspection:
• Perform targeted inspections on Gulf Air’s Trent 1000 engines to identify similar risks.
3. Crew Training:
• Reinforce training for handling single-engine operations and in-flight fire emergencies.
4. Manufacturer Collaboration:
• Work with Rolls-Royce to address recurring Trent 1000 issues and expedite reliability improvements.
Safety Lessons and Industry Impact
This incident highlights the persistent challenges associated with the Trent 1000 engine and underscores the importance of proactive maintenance and robust emergency response protocols. Gulf Air’s coordinated actions ensured passenger and crew safety, but the event underscores the critical need for addressing known engine vulnerabilities in long-haul operations.
Disclaimer
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Our investigation reports are based on all the evidence and facts we have at the time of writing and posting. We apologize if any details are missed or are not fully accurate.
