Rolls Royce to heighten Trent 1000 engines checks due to blade hit

Rolls-Royce will ramp up inspections on a popular jet engine used by more than a dozen airlines after discovering turbine blades were wearing out faster than expected.

Checks on the Trent 1000 Ten engine, launched in November 2017, will increase over the next few months after signs too much flying at high thrust caused the blades to wear out prematurely.

The move comes after Singapore Airlines grounded two jumbos fitted with the engines last week after identifying the issue. Rolls has suffered problems with vulnerable rotor blades before on two other versions of the Trent 1000.

It took a £554 million charge last year on the issue. Costs will remain the same despite the new problem.

“This blade deterioration is a known issue but it is occurring faster than we expected on some engines,” said Rolls’ civil aerospace president Chris Cholerton.

“We started development of an enhanced blade last year, which we are now testing. We expect to start incorporating enhanced blades into the Trent 1000 Ten fleet in early 2020.”

The European Aviation Safety Agency has approved Rolls’ inspection plan. It will issue an airworthiness directive today forcing airlines to comply with the checks.

The Trent 1000 Ten engine, which numbers 180, is used by 18 airlines.