Qantas Uncovers Cause of 747-400 Engine Failure

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said the the failure of a Rolls-Royce RB211 engine on a Qantas Boeing 747-400, which occurred during climbout from San Francisco International Airport on Aug. 30, 2010, was caused by a fatigue fracture of a single-stage, low-pressure turbine blade. The imbalance caused by the failure eventually resulted in an uncontained release of additional engine debris, requiring the crew to shut down the number-four engine and return to SFO. No injuries were reported during the incident.