SN to Africa - one cancellation per day

[rwandan-flyer]

SN465 to Kigali/Entebbe cancelled today. Probably nothing to do with the Swissport strike.

Is OO-SFY still in EBB?

Yes indeed not easy to know if there is a link with the strike. Yes OO-SFY still in EBB.

[RTM]

The point where I don't agree is that the aforementioned factors can't cause an engine to stall. They can cause a sensitive compressor to stall by providing opportunities for unexpected pressure differentials and/or shockwaves. It's not likely but if there are no external factors (like birdstrikes) and that both stalls are very similar, you can only find the issues outside the engines. It's rare but it does happen.

No, a bit to far fetched... A sensitive compressor doesn't exist. It either is within its tolerances or not. And it should be in, and then the FADEC will not allow it to stall.
A worn/eroded compressor does exist. But I've seen engines that have been extensively used in the Sahara, still making full power despite stalling continuously. If it realy goes boom, there is something more substantial wrong with it.
But again focussing on the compressor. Nobody said it was a compressor stall, was it a stall at all? Could just as well have been a catastrophic failure due to a hot section problem.

[FlightMate]

Does anybody know if that was the same engine? (Well, not the same. But the new one?)
They need to be careful. Etops certification can be at stake.

[luchtzak]

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/article/detail ... 4_00582441

[convair]

I assume they have an insurance policy covering equipment breakdown. Are they compensated for loss of revenue as well?

[StijnBRU]

it was indeed the same engine that gave troubles in EBB. Just spoke to somebody from flight ops SN and they are looking to fly over a new engine on cargo to EBB...otherwise the bird is simply stuck.
I do not understand SN that they keep on buying those old birds, nothing but troubles and just repainting them will not keep them in the air...

[RTM]

it was indeed the same engine that gave troubles in EBB. Just spoke to somebody from flight ops SN and they are looking to fly over a new engine on cargo to EBB...otherwise the bird is simply stuck.
I do not understand SN that they keep on buying those old birds, nothing but troubles and just repainting them will not keep them in the air...

What does engine performance have to do with the age of the aircraft?

[airazurxtror]

They buy old aircraft with new engines ?

[RTM]

They buy old aircraft with new engines ?

Is that a retorical question...?

For one, the affected engine appearantly was on there for less than a week. So a little bit hard to asteblish a relationship with the aircraft regarding its age. Might as well have been a 5 year old engine, but we'll never find out.

[Passenger]

They buy old aircraft with new engines ?

Depend what your reference is for "old". TNT 733's, 734's and BAe 146's? VLM's F50's? If those are average, then Brussels Airlines A330's are young aircraft.

[Flanker2]

I assume they have an insurance policy covering equipment breakdown. Are they compensated for loss of revenue as well?

They have a deductible on the insurance policy but they should be covered (I won't tell you the amount of the deductible, but in case of an engine going boom, and replacement in EBB, the cost will be higher than the deductible). An engine change in EBB, that will be another interesting story... They will need to charter an IL-76/AN124 to bring an engine stand and another spare engine, hire cranes, send personnel.

Loss of revenue is usually on the airline, even though they can claim it from the responsible (and their insurance companies), if fault can be proven.

When you lease aircraft, you usually lease the engines that go with it. You can lease spare engines but they usually are in the same age category as the aircraft for compatibility reasons. Given the likelihood of FOD in Africa, I don't think that SN leases brand new engines. I also don't think that brand new engines are available.

We will probably never know who or what was at fault (and even if I get to know it, I won't post it anytime soon, out of respect for their insurance negotiations, etc...).

[Passenger]

We will probably never know who or what was at fault (and even if I get to know it, I won't post it anytime soon, out of respect for their insurance negotiations, etc...).

Since yesterday evening, I know from first hand what and how has happened, what was the cause of the engine stall, etc. However, because of my professional secrecy, I am not allowed to share the details with you and/or other luchtzak members. Freund hört mit, you know, and we're really talking here about a huge, really huge insurance claim.

So sorry I cannot reveal this, but my source is one of the top ranking senior executives which I happen to know for ages already.

(André and Bart, please don't insist with me as I have to respect this secrecy even in private messages)

[RTM]

When you lease aircraft, you usually lease the engines that go with it. You can lease spare engines but they usually are in the same age category as the aircraft for compatibility reasons. Given the likelihood of FOD in Africa, I don't think that SN leases brand new engines. I also don't think that brand new engines are available.

Mostly true.
But bear in mind that an engine doesn't have to be new, to be new. They get overhauled, and put back to zero. Allthough in modular bits. But still, if it leaves a repairshop, it is in good shape. And as well, even if it has the same calander age, due to the fact they are rotated around, they generally build less hours and cycles than the aircraft.

[convair]

did someone forget to check the oil level?

@passenger

I was right then!

[Bel33]

Flights SN237/8 to/from Dakar and Freetown are operated today with a Boeing 767-300 Passenger...

[LJ]

An engine change in EBB, that will be another interesting story... They will need to charter an IL-76/AN124 to bring an engine stand and another spare engine, hire cranes, send personnel.

KLM has done it already at EBB.

BTW you can also transport an enigine in a 747 and AFAIK it also fits into a MD11F or 75F. No need to hire an extra aircraft.

[rwandan-flyer]

SN1465 still in Kigali, 4h40 of delay (however flight was arrived with 1h20 of delay)

EDIT : flight canceled.

[Flanker2]

An engine change in EBB, that will be another interesting story... They will need to charter an IL-76/AN124 to bring an engine stand and another spare engine, hire cranes, send personnel.

KLM has done it already at EBB.

BTW you can also transport an enigine in a 747 and AFAIK it also fits into a MD11F or 75F. No need to hire an extra aircraft.

B757F is going to be too tight I think. MD11F could work but I'm not sure as the ceiling is quite a bit lower than on the B747. In a shipping configuration probably, but an engine on an installation stand is much taller.

The B747F should be able to take it, but it's usually a bit cheaper to charter a Russian hauler when you go into airports where there is no regular cargo aircraft service and you only have to carry the engine and engine stand. Not all airports have the facilities to unload from main decks of widebody freighters, this is also an important consideration for choosing Russian haulers which have loading ramps.

I hear the engine is coming from the Far East.

[rwandan-flyer]

Flights SN237/8 to/from Dakar and Freetown are operated today with a Boeing 767-300 Passenger...

Euro Atlantic CS-TFO

BTW you can also transport an enigine in a 747 and AFAIK it also fits into a MD11F or 75F. No need to hire an extra aircraft.

I remember, when AF had troubles with GE-90s on its B77W. They have sent AN124 or 747 Cargo to bring new engines at Madeira. Some of B77Ws were diverted here, on flights to Caraibes or South America.

SN1465 still in Kigali, 4h40 of delay (however flight was arrived with 1h20 of delay)

EDIT : flight canceled.

Engine problems, on OO-SFN.

[flightlover]

B757F is going to be too tight I think. MD11F could work but I'm not sure as the ceiling is quite a bit lower than on the B747. In a shipping configuration probably, but an engine on an installation stand is much taller.

The B747F should be able to take it, but it's usually a bit cheaper to charter a Russian hauler when you go into airports where there is no regular cargo aircraft service and you only have to carry the engine and engine stand. Not all airports have the facilities to unload from main decks of widebody freighters, this is also an important consideration for choosing Russian haulers which have loading ramps.

I hear the engine is coming from the Far East.

Don't think an MD11F will do either as the fan is just a little to big. But that shouldn't be a problem as EBB is capable of handling B747F and T7F. Both will do nicely.
Don't know if installing it will be as straight forward as in western airports but Direct maintenance has a station there that is capable of doing line maintenance on A330's.