The SQ 787-10s

[sbs2716g]

So mainly miles have come out with an article on the grounding of 787-10. They claim that it is due to high pressure turbine cracks detected in the Roll Royce Trent TEN engine fitted to the aircraft

Wonder whether SQ will ask airbus to advance the delivery of 9V-SHE/SHF?

[flyguy]

That is not good news for SIA's new fleet of 787s and if the RR Trent engines should follow the way of the earlier Scoot's 787s, then it will cause quite a fair bit of juggling and swapping aircrafts and even some cancellation of flights. See article https://mainlymiles.com/2019/04/02/s...-787-10-fleet/

[shikhargpt]

Looks like they created another problem when fixing the fan blade cracking. I would assume the moment SCG, SCI, SCH and the other touch down later today in SIN they will be grounded too, so, full grounding probably incoming.

The worst part for SQ is that they do NOT have a 1:1 capacity replacement, or something close enough to that. Equipment changes will either be grossly over capacity (only the A380 can do this, and I highly doubt any of these flights will A380 ops) or under capacity (with the A333/B77E/B773/B77W/A359R)... possibly necessitating additional flights or cancellations if the flights the B78Js were supposed to fly were at full load. If it's not full load, the swaps will not be that much of an issue.

If OZ follows, assuming they ground the TENs and also some of the original 1000s, they're gonna be in so much trouble with capacity because SQ may now allocate the B77Es/A333s etc. for themselves to make up B78J shortfall.

[dfs24]

Saw SCD parked at the remote stands near 2L with both engine covers open this morning.

[boing]

I was of the impression SQ's 787s were fitted with the latest version of trent 1000 that had the upgrades that was plaguing the earlier versions.
This seems to be a long drawn out issue. Some of Scoot's 787s are still awaiting new engines. I wonder if any affected airlines are considering swapping their engines to GE.

[sbs2716g]

SQ have issue an official statement. 2 787 will be removed from service pending engine replacement

The reason stated is premature blade deterioration.

[shikhargpt]

I was of the impression SQ's 787s were fitted with the latest version of trent 1000 that had the upgrades that was plaguing the earlier versions.
This seems to be a long drawn out issue. Some of Scoot's 787s are still awaiting new engines. I wonder if any affected airlines are considering swapping their engines to GE.

This is seemingly a different issue with these newer engines (aka the Trent 1000 TENs). Previously the Trent 1000 had blade cracking issues, now it's premature deterioration (though the two might be heavily correlated).

[cscs1956]

SQ have issue an official statement. 2 787 will be removed from service pending engine replacement

The reason stated is premature blade deterioration.

https://youtu.be/cgo2cOTkb70

[flyguy]

It looks like the RR engine issues on SQ 787s will be impacted and not just the 2 currently grounded but its very possible the other engines on its other 5 787s will be similiarly affected in due time. And its not only SQ but other airlines who are operating with the same engine type, the Trent 1000 TEN.
If this follows the same course as its earlier RR Trent 1000, then it will take almost a year before the engines are all replaced and as is RR is already behind in producing enough Trent 1000 for the airlines. Not sure how SIA will tackle this 787 engine mess and how can SQ have enough aircraft to substitute its 787s. Lets hope RR other engine types like the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 which powers the A350s do not suffer the same fate.

[SQ_326]

If the blades have a shorter lifespan then the initial economics of 787 is widely open now.

[boing]

If the blades have a shorter lifespan then the initial economics of 787 is widely open now.

RR is contractually obligated to compensate all airlines for their losses throughout this fiasco. Not sure whether the potential loss of customers and damage to brand name is included in this.

I remember that one of Boeing's selling points when the 787 was marketed was its ability to swap engines between manufacturers to improve its reselling attractiveness. Would any airlines be pushed to the limit before swapping their engines, provided of course, GE has enough engines to permit it.

[flyguy]

its not so simple to merely swap engines and is unlikely that SQ will do some modificatuons to change its RR engines to others. Unless SQ change the engines before the plane is manufactured and delivered.

[sbs2716g]

Read that RR have released a statement that said since the entry of service of the RR 1000 TEN engine, they have inform operators that the high pressure turbine blade in the engine will have limited lifespan.

SQ787 have been in service for 1 year? The so call limited lifespan is really “limited”

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...ost_recent_box

[SQ_326]

Read that RR have released a statement that said since the entry of service of the RR 1000 TEN engine, they have inform operators that the high pressure turbine blade in the engine will have limited lifespan.

SQ787 have been in service for 1 year? The so call limited lifespan is really “limited”

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...ost_recent_box

Such self caveating is indefeasible if SQ is an isolated case. If it's a systematic problem and airlines start to discover such defect, RR would be at their knees in no time, like Boeing.

[flyguy]

If the blades have a shorter lifespan then the initial economics of 787 is widely open now.

But less than a year is something else and looks clearly as a technical fault.