Rolls-Royce is to recommend some precautionary checks to Airbus A380 operators following the incident involving uncontained Trent 900 engine failure on a Qantas airframe.

The aero engine manufacturer says it is collecting information in order to understand the event and "determine suitable actions".

"The in service fleet of Trent 900 engines is small and relatively new, and the group feels that it is prudent to recommend that a number of basic precautionary engine checks are performed," says the company. "This process is now underway."

It has not given specific details of the checks being recommended.

"As always the safe operation of our products is our number one priority," it states. "We will continue to work closely with our customers as the investigation moves forward.

"This is at a very early stage and it would be inappropriate to draw any conclusions at this time."

At the end of September the world fleet of A380s totalled 37 aircraft among five operators. Trent 900s are fitted to 20 of these.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news