Flight CI-753 | Registration: B-18908
Date: 13 April 2025 | Location: 220nm NE of Nha Trang, South China Sea
Flight Details
Aircraft Type: Airbus A350-941 Engines: 2 × Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 Operator: China Airlines Registration: B-18908 Flight Number: CI-753 Callsign: CAL753 Route: Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (RCTP), Taiwan to Singapore Changi Airport (WSSS), Singapore Date of Incident: 13 April 2025 Total Occupants: Estimated 290 (passengers and crew) Weather Conditions: Reported VMC in the region; no significant weather noted
Introduction
On 13 April 2025, a China Airlines Airbus A350-900, operating flight CI-753 from Taipei to Singapore, experienced a failure of its right-hand engine (Rolls-Royce Trent XWB) while cruising at FL390 over the South China Sea. The crew shut down the affected engine, initiated a drift-down to FL240, and elected to divert to Kaohsiung International Airport (Taiwan), where the aircraft landed safely.
The incident occurred approximately 220 nautical miles northeast of Nha Trang, Vietnam, while the aircraft was in international airspace. No injuries were reported, and the flight was cancelled. Passengers were later transported to Singapore aboard a replacement Airbus A330-300, arriving approximately 9 hours later than scheduled.
Sequence of Events
Flight CI-753 departed Taipei in the early hours of 13 April 2025, climbing smoothly to a cruising altitude of FL390. Approximately three hours into the flight, while traversing the South China Sea, the crew detected abnormal parameters on the right-hand Trent XWB engine, followed by engine failure indications.
Actions taken by the flight crew:
Engine shut down in accordance with the Airbus QRH (Quick Reference Handbook) Declared a PAN PAN with regional air traffic control Initiated a drift-down to FL240 to maintain optimal single-engine cruise performance Turned northeast toward Taiwan, selecting Kaohsiung International Airport (RCKH) as the diversion point Coordinated with dispatch and ground services for emergency response on arrival
The aircraft completed the single-engine cruise and landed safely on Kaohsiung’s runway 09 approximately three hours after the initial engine issue was detected.
Crew & Communication
The flight crew acted swiftly and decisively, demonstrating a textbook response to an in-flight engine shutdown. Communications with ATC included:
Declaration of PAN PAN, later elevated to a precautionary emergency Request for altitude and heading changes to facilitate drift-down and diversion Coordination with Kaohsiung approach and tower for priority landing
The cabin crew informed passengers of the situation after the aircraft stabilised in cruise on one engine, reassuring them that the situation was under control.
Aircraft Systems & Technical Analysis
The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 powering the Airbus A350 is considered among the most reliable turbofan engines in service. Nevertheless, in-flight shutdowns, while rare, can occur due to:
Compressor stalls or surges Fuel system anomalies Oil pressure or temperature excursions FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) fault or protective shutdown
Initial signs such as engine vibration, abnormal fuel flow, or EGT rise would have prompted the crew to initiate a controlled shutdown. Following shutdown, the engine’s N1 and N2 would have spooled down and fuel flow isolated. The ECAM system would have guided the crew through fault isolation and engine secure procedures.
The engine’s digital control unit (ECU) and the aircraft’s Central Maintenance System (CMS) would log fault codes and parameters for post-flight analysis by China Airlines’ engineering team and Rolls-Royce technical support.
As of the latest update, the aircraft remained grounded in Kaohsiung approximately 6.5 hours after landing, pending inspection and evaluation of the engine.
Passenger Experience & Cabin Conditions
While in-flight engine shutdowns are uncommon, the A350 is fully certified for ETOPS operations and designed to fly safely on a single engine for extended periods. Passengers reported:
Mild concern after the announcement but no signs of panic No smoke, noise, or vibrations noticed from the cabin A smooth descent and return, with inflight services paused during the diversion
The airline provided meal vouchers, accommodation, and rebooking support, and passengers continued to Singapore on a replacement aircraft.
Emergency Response & Aftermath
Emergency services at Kaohsiung were on standby for the arrival, although no emergency landing procedures were triggered, and the aircraft landed normally on one engine.
Upon shutdown and taxi, maintenance personnel and Rolls-Royce engineers began:
Download of engine health monitoring data Borescope inspection of the engine core and turbine Visual inspection for external signs of damage, leaks, or debris
Given the relatively controlled nature of the failure and lack of further escalation, the engine issue is likely to be isolated to an internal component fault or protective shutdown trigger.
Investigation Status
There has been no formal investigation announced, and the incident is being handled as a technical fault. China Airlines and Rolls-Royce are collaborating to determine:
The specific component or system that failed Whether similar issues have been reported on other Trent XWB engines Whether airworthiness directives or fleet-wide inspections are necessary
The Taiwan Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) has been notified but has not classified the event as a serious incident at this stage.
Root Cause & Contributing Factors
Probable Cause:
Right-hand Trent XWB engine failure enroute, resulting in automatic or manual shutdown by the flight crew.
Contributing Factors:
Component fatigue or mechanical fault within the engine core Sensor or FADEC anomaly triggering a precautionary shutdown Oil or fuel system irregularity, either transient or systemic Environmental conditions or foreign object ingestion unlikely at cruise but not ruled out
Safety Recommendations & Industry Impact
This incident underscores the importance of:
Continuous engine health monitoring across the global A350 fleet Quick and decisive flight crew training for ETOPS diversions Manufacturer trend analysis of engine fault data Fleet-wide logbook reviews for similar Trent engine symptoms
Although no injuries or damage occurred, the event remains a reminder that even modern high-bypass engines can experience unexpected faults. The reliability of the A350’s single-engine performance was effectively demonstrated in this case.
Conclusion
China Airlines flight CI-753 safely diverted to Kaohsiung following the in-flight shutdown of its right engine over the South China Sea. The crew’s prompt response and adherence to safety protocols ensured a controlled descent and safe landing. Passengers were rebooked without incident, and the engine is undergoing analysis by manufacturer and airline engineering teams.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
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