OREANDA-NEWS. March 14, 2011. China Airlines confirms that three recent in-flight engine shut-down events on CAL Airbus A330 aircraft were caused by hot corrosion of engine blades, a phenomenon that has recently also been experienced by some carriers using A330 engines manufactured by GE Aviation. Although none of the incidents caused any danger to passengers on the three flights, CAL has ordered the immediate repair and replacement of blades used in this engine type in its entire A330 fleet, reported the press-centre of China Airlines.

To avoid risk of any future in-flight engine shut-downs, a team of specialists from GE Aviation have arrived in Taiwan to work with CAL in using a higher standard of coating technique, which will effectively prevent future corrosion.

The GE Aviation team has investigated CAL’s maintenance procedures and facilities and found that CAL’s operating environment is no different from those of other carriers, and that CAL’s operational procedures conform to instructions contained in the manual provided by GE Aviation and Airbus. CAL now only needs to replace affected blades, and needs to take no further action, because all of the engines are still within the “safety zone.” However, as a prudent safety precaution, CAL has promptly decided to replace all engine blades used on its A330 aircraft, regardless of extra cost and effects on operational dispatches. This decision far exceeds the safety standards based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

China Airlines insists on safety and will make no compromises in achieving this objective. We apologize for any inconvenience or concerns caused, and assure the public that CAL will undertake all means possible to ensure replacement of engine blades will be completed before the end of May.