Description

On 29 March 2019, a GEnx-1B powered Boeing 787-8 (VH-VKJ) being operated by Jetstar Airways on a scheduled international passenger flight from Cairns Australia to Kansai as JQ15 experienced the successive indications of uncommanded but transient complete rundowns of both engines during descent to destination in day VMC. While engine instruments continued to indicate continuing engine control issues, sufficient thrust remained available to complete the intended flight.

Investigation

The event was classified as a Serious Incident and an Investigation was carried out by the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB). The Investigation was confined to the airworthiness issues which had led both engines to malfunction and relevant data were downloaded from the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFR) and Airplane Condition Monitoring Function (ACMF) provided by the CPL (Continuous Parameter Logging) process. Flight crew statements were obtained to assist but the response of the flight crew to the situation they had been faced with was not considered. The 41year-old Captain was noted to have a total of 12,491 hours flying experience of which 2,102 hours were on type. It was clear from the outset that adverse environmental conditions had not been contributory to the engine malfunctions which occurred.