EASA and FAA order de-pairing of Trent engines over dual shutdown risk

European and US aviation regulators have ordered operators of certain Rolls-Royce Trent-powered Boeing 777s and older Airbus A330s to de-pair engines equipped with specific oil pumps, citing a risk of dual in-flight shutdown. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said low oil-pressure events have occurred on low-life oil pumps, and investigation identified a potential failure mode affecting the oil pump input-coupling shear neck.

An aircraft with two engines affected by the same condition could lose both powerplants at once. The EASA directive, effective 8 September, prohibits operation of an aircraft with two affected engines. Rolls-Royce issued service bulletins on 4 September instructing operators to de-pair engines so that no affected parts are fitted in both engines of a single airframe.

EASA called the directive interim action. Further measures are possible. The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a corresponding directive.

The affected engines are the Trent 700, fitted on A330-200 and A330-300 variants, and the Trent 800, fitted on 777-200, -200ER, and -300 models. Specific oil pump part numbers have been identified. Operators must comply with the de-pairing requirement to reduce the risk of a rare but serious dual engine failure event.