Incident Overview
On November 11, 2012, an Airbus A380-861, registered as A6-EDA, conducted an air turnback after an engine shutdown during climb following takeoff from Sydney Airport (SYD) in New South Wales, Australia. The flight, en route to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, experienced abnormal indications on the No. 3 engine, leading to an automatic shutdown. The crew performed a fuel dump and returned to Sydney without further incident. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
Engine Details
The affected engine was an Engine Alliance GP7270, serial number 550121, with 15,146 total service hours (TSN) and 1,857 cycles since new (CSN). Post-incident examination included a borescope inspection conducted under the oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Inspection Findings
The borescope inspection revealed a failure of the 2nd stage high pressure turbine (HPT) nozzle. Additionally, small holes and tears were found on the HPT case. No debris penetrated the nacelle, and the engine remained contained.
Investigation
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the incident. The investigator in charge is Ms. Peta Blake. Further information can be obtained through the ATSB's contact channels.
Outcome
The flight crew managed the situation effectively, and the aircraft returned to Sydney without further complications. The incident did not result in any injuries or damage to the airplane.