What happened
On December 28, 2017, an Airbus A330-202, registration EI-LAX, departed Dublin Airport for a scheduled passenger service to Los Angeles. Approximately 15 seconds after takeoff, the flight crew received a fire warning for the No. 2 engine, accompanied by a high-temperature advisory for the engine compartment. Following standard emergency procedures, the crew shut down the right-hand engine.
As the aircraft climbed, the crew declared a MAYDAY and decided to divert to Shannon Airport, which offered a longer runway suitable for the situation. During the flight, the crew proactively discharged an engine fire extinguisher into the No. 2 engine compartment as a precaution. To manage the aircraft's weight for landing, the crew entered a holding pattern near Shannon to burn off fuel, eventually performing an overweight landing on Runway 06. Despite the emergency, all 267 passengers and 11 crew members disembarked without injury.
The investigation
The AAIU examined the engine components and the maintenance history of the aircraft. Investigators focused on the bleed air system, specifically a component known as a "spacer" located at the 14th stage bleed air outlet. The investigation also looked into the maintenance performed at an engine overhaul facility earlier that year, noting that the task card used for the installation of the spacer was incorrectly identified by the facility.
Findings
- The engine fire warning was triggered by the fatigue failure of a bleed air spacer.
- This failure allowed hot, high-pressure air to escape into the engine compartment.
- The escaping air caused the 14th stage bleed air manifold to buckle, which subsequently struck and damaged the No. 2 engine's main fuel feed line.
- Metallurgical analysis determined the fracture was caused by reversed bending fatigue due to abnormal loading conditions.
- While the fuel line was impacted, it was not punctured, and no fuel leak occurred.
- The investigation noted that a Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) is now a requirement for these spacers during engine shop visits to prevent similar occurrences.