Airbus A380 Engine Failure - Essay Example

Airbus A380 Engine Failure Name Institution Instructor Date Discussions Introduction Airbus 380 is the biggest airliner to be ever designed and the design includes; a tripled decked large body and a long range civil transport. It was designed with the consideration of the constraints that were imposed by the customers. Firstly A380 has grown tremendously since its inception in 2007. It provides high reliability and high comfort. It also exists as a double deck carrier capable of carrying over 500 people as well as three classes that has a capacity of carrying over 800 passengers as stipulated by Norris (2005). Additionally, it provides low cost due to reduced fuel burn that exists per seat. This aids in minimizing pollution to the environment. Air bus A380 faced setbacks that were associated with engine failures and internal combustion. Essentially, internal combustion engines are a type of engine that burns fuel inside the engine. They are powered by diesel, gasoline or methane. They may involve two stroke or four stroke engines as noted by Rajput (2007). The selection of this topic was very relevant during the study as it would enhance my major. This would also ensure that sufficient research is obtained that would provide sufficient knowledge in this topic. The interest in this field also enhanced the selection of this topic as it is also quite interesting. Causes engine failures The sources used were very relevant and updated in relation to the causes of engine failures as these failures also apply to the A380 engine. As Itemized by Walker (2010) airplane failures occur at certain times due to unforeseen circumstances. Several causes attribute to the failure of engines. Engine failure occurs as a result of improper combustion that occurs where ignition can be described as a type of a combustion that is always abnormal; it is always indicated by is unregulated before the occurrence of the flame front. Essentially, An A380 airbus contains four 311KN of Rolls Royce Trent type of Engine. It presumes a propulsion system that is also a reciprocating system. The engine has the control unit that is electronically operated. The engine failure is strongly believed to be as a result of design problems. This was manifested by presence of debris that was found in the engine casing. Additionally, it was believed that there could be leakage making hot materials to get into the fuel tank. This has the possible effects of leading to depressurization. On the other hand, as stipulated by Roy (2006) the high temperatures may lead to damages on the piston rings as well as causing wear of groove as the pistons burn on the top side. Essentially, various causes of engine failure is caused by lack of lubrication, over speeding and also presence of abrasive grits. Overheating The accumulation of the debris in the cylinders interferes with the free circulation of air in the engine. These restrictions would cause the temperatures to rise above the set conditions that lead to overheating. This leads to damage on the cylinders as the, valves are loosened and presence of warping that is exhibited at the corner of the cylinders that indicate the instance of overheating. Over speeding Cases of over speeding may lead to the explosion taking place at the fly wheel. This occurs as high speed tends to lead to high centrifugal force that tends to cause objects to move away from the centre. Internal Combustion This involves both thermodynamic and mechanical operation of a machine to be useful and produce useful work. In an A380 airbus, the make that comprises the Wright engine contains the four stroke and the four cylinders engines. The combustion process occurs in closed cylinders, where the pistons that are moving, compresses the fuel mixture of fuel and air as stipulated by Roy (2006). This is repeated with back and forward throttle process that leads to combustion. This is enhanced by the ignition that is initiated by the spark plug. The mixture f air and fuels causes the combustion process as suggested by Norris (2005). The forces inside the cylinder cause the motion to move downwards and upwards by the explosion force. These motions would intern propel the cam shaft that are attached to the shafts that would transmit circular motions. Thereafter, the post combustion process leads the material out of the chambers through the exhaust (Roy, 2006). The connection of a number of cylinders enables the aircraft to propel in motion. On the other hand, the power stroke generated on the piston enables the crank to change the linear motion that has been generated into circular motion. This motion of the crankshaft turns the propeller that would propel the aircraft (Roy, 2006). This is repeatedly done while embracing the Otto cycle sequence in a given thermodynamic cycle. People’s opinion to engine failures Engines are mechanical things that are prone to exhibit mechanical life thus; they are not exempted from faulty scenarios. Most individuals have always demanded for high professionalism to be observed to avoid engine failures thus, this has called for the airline crew members to be extensively trained on emergency procedures. Arguably, the expert’s claim that extent in which failure of engine may occur would greatly depend on sped at which the aircraft was flying before the time the failure occurred. When such as scenario occur at low speed, the aircraft could shut down its engine while, the plane returns back to its parking lot. On the other hand, many people are not familiar with aviation related issues and they tend to correlate the engine failures with poor maintenance. Surprisingly, most would also not understand under which circumstances a new engine could not operate effectively. Lessons learnt from the Airbus A380 Engine Failure The failure of the engine though had a negative impact on the society and economy. Many lessons were drawn and may be put into practice by any organization that wants to succeed in a complex project similar to the one discussed. The lessons learnt may be stated as; Risk Tolerance. The stakeholders ought to monitor the risks while undertaking any project the degree to which employees and other stakeholders are encouraged to keep up with the risk that may occur is vital. Employees should always be encouraged to be aggressive as they undertake the project in place. On the other hand, the manufacturers of the engine could have been inspired to be creative and take calculative risks in their undertakings so as to minimize the loss experienced. Open-system focus- This refers to the degree to which an organization will monitor and control prevailing issues so as to respond to changes in the external environment. Given that the external environment is always dynamic and ever changing, consistent strategies should be in place so as to solve such problems (United States., 2011). If the stakeholders of the engine A380 were to be consistent with updates of the current external environment the failure could have been evaded. Control- This refers to the process of using rules, policies and direct supervision to effectively and efficiently oversee and control the behavior of an employee. Employees should be under control so as to ensure they meet required standards interms of performance, goals and objectives in relation to the project being worked on. Would there have been adequate control done, the probability of the engine failure could have been minimized greatly. Unit integration. This ii an organized coordination amongst various departments. This tends to link various sector and would end to minimize defect. During the project of the engine design and development the sources used in this case shows how to some extend there was lack of coordination. Coordination could have helped them in making appropriate decisions at the required time. Teamwork. There should be that element of teamwork when working on a project. Organizations should emphasize on employees to work in organized groups as opposed to individual tasking. Member identity- This calls for members of an organization should always concentrate on the interests of the firm and give it first priority rather than putting self-interests first. Employees need to identify with the organization as a whole instead of professional expertise. Conclusion In conclusion, there should always be an appropriate and supportive culture with good methodology and well equipped kit of tools that can consistently and in areliable way minimize project failure. From the above analysis, it can be concluded reasonably that, the airbus A380 engine failure was as a result of limitations in unit integration as well as, the conflict that emanated due to tolerance. Considering integrations between units, at airbus A380 the business units did not coordinated smoothly. Additionally, conflicts at the organization were not encouraged and managers always wanted to get along. With member identity in place, the staff ought to aim to achieve their sole goal, while, they put aside partisan politics so as to give full support and focus towards a world class air craft. References Norris, G., 2005. Airbus A380: superjumbo of the 21st century. St. Paul, Minn, MBI Pub. Rajput, R., 2007. Internal combustion engines: (including air compressors and gas turbines and jet propulsion). Bangalore, India, Laxmi Publications. Roy, G. D., 2006. Combustion processes in propulsion control, noise, and pulse detonation. Amsterdam, Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann United States. 2011. Airplane flying handbook. New York, Sky horse Pub. Walker, P., 2010.. “A380 engine failure: why it happened”. The Guardian News Company. Self evaluation Conducting this research was very interesting and I was within the schedule. Given that there was available research in this field, this project was managed on time. However, there were some articles that had limited research. The fifth resource had discussions about the internal combustion engine and does not necessarily talk about the airbus A380. The first source discussed about the airbus A380 and its functionality and basic knowledge on what it is all about. The second source gives an elaborate discussion about the internal combustion engines. It elaborately discusses how they operate and their mode of failure. This was useful in understanding the principle behind the operation of engines. On the other hand, the fourth source was intriguing in the manner in which it highlighted the flight operations. These were added by the procedures for emergency that were demonstrated. The source gives the possible traffic patterns in the airport that enables the reader to judge where the mistake could have occurred right from the takeoff. The approach or reviewing related literature enabled this project to be conducted comprehensively. This was attributed to accessing up to date information that that was relevant to this study. The third source was surprising as, it has managed to indicate all the possible reasons that could lead to the bus failure without blaming any person but the manufacturers. Conclusively, this study enabled proper research that enhanced the objective to be achieved. This was culminated by lucid evidence that was identified during the study. Read More

Over speeding Cases of over speeding may lead to the explosion taking place at the fly wheel. This occurs as high speed tends to lead to high centrifugal force that tends to cause objects to move away from the centre. Internal Combustion This involves both thermodynamic and mechanical operation of a machine to be useful and produce useful work. In an A380 airbus, the make that comprises the Wright engine contains the four stroke and the four cylinders engines. The combustion process occurs in closed cylinders, where the pistons that are moving, compresses the fuel mixture of fuel and air as stipulated by Roy (2006).

This is repeated with back and forward throttle process that leads to combustion. This is enhanced by the ignition that is initiated by the spark plug. The mixture f air and fuels causes the combustion process as suggested by Norris (2005). The forces inside the cylinder cause the motion to move downwards and upwards by the explosion force. These motions would intern propel the cam shaft that are attached to the shafts that would transmit circular motions. Thereafter, the post combustion process leads the material out of the chambers through the exhaust (Roy, 2006).

The connection of a number of cylinders enables the aircraft to propel in motion. On the other hand, the power stroke generated on the piston enables the crank to change the linear motion that has been generated into circular motion. This motion of the crankshaft turns the propeller that would propel the aircraft (Roy, 2006). This is repeatedly done while embracing the Otto cycle sequence in a given thermodynamic cycle. People’s opinion to engine failures Engines are mechanical things that are prone to exhibit mechanical life thus; they are not exempted from faulty scenarios.

Most individuals have always demanded for high professionalism to be observed to avoid engine failures thus, this has called for the airline crew members to be extensively trained on emergency procedures. Arguably, the expert’s claim that extent in which failure of engine may occur would greatly depend on sped at which the aircraft was flying before the time the failure occurred. When such as scenario occur at low speed, the aircraft could shut down its engine while, the plane returns back to its parking lot.

On the other hand, many people are not familiar with aviation related issues and they tend to correlate the engine failures with poor maintenance. Surprisingly, most would also not understand under which circumstances a new engine could not operate effectively. Lessons learnt from the Airbus A380 Engine Failure The failure of the engine though had a negative impact on the society and economy. Many lessons were drawn and may be put into practice by any organization that wants to succeed in a complex project similar to the one discussed.

The lessons learnt may be stated as; Risk Tolerance. The stakeholders ought to monitor the risks while undertaking any project the degree to which employees and other stakeholders are encouraged to keep up with the risk that may occur is vital. Employees should always be encouraged to be aggressive as they undertake the project in place. On the other hand, the manufacturers of the engine could have been inspired to be creative and take calculative risks in their undertakings so as to minimize the loss experienced.

Open-system focus- This refers to the degree to which an organization will monitor and control prevailing issues so as to respond to changes in the external environment. Given that the external environment is always dynamic and ever changing, consistent strategies should be in place so as to solve such problems (United States., 2011). If the stakeholders of the engine A380 were to be consistent with updates of the current external environment the failure could have been evaded. Control- This refers to the process of using rules, policies and direct supervision to effectively and efficiently oversee and control the behavior of an employee.

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