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Another B787-9 Dreamliner has suffered a sudden engine failure, this time a Scoot flight to Australia, while approaching Perth.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has confirmed it is investigating “an engine failure involving a Boeing 787, registered 9V-OJE, operated by Scoot, at Perth Airport, Western Australia, on 11 October 2018”.

“While descending into Perth, there was an uncommanded in-flight shut down of the right engine. The flight crew continued the approach and the aircraft landed safely.”

The ATSB will “interview relevant persons, obtain engineering reports and review operational procedures” to prepare a report on the incident.

According to airline safety and ratings website AirlineRatings.com, Scoot’s Dreamliners are powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine – the same model that has caused problems for airlines around the world and is set to cost manufacturer Rolls-Royce over GBP 1 billion (AUD 1.85 billion).

Scoot did not reveal the precise nature of the engine problem but said flight TR16 encountered a “technical issue” in its right engine before landing in Perth.

It stated: “For customers of the return flight TR17 bound for Singapore, hotel accommodation was provided for them as necessary.

“Where possible, arrangements were also made to fly customers out on partner airline flights to minimize inconvenience.

“Safety is of utmost importance to Scoot and we will spare no effort to ensure the safety and well-being of our customers. Scoot apologises for the inconvenience caused.”

Premature wear of intermediate compressor blades in some versions of the engine have triggered flight cancellations and aircraft groundings.

The Boeing Dreamliner program encountered initial problems with batteries used to power some functions of the aircraft. These seem to have been ironed out, but some of the Roll-Royce engines have struck a technical hitch.

Air New Zealand, the inaugural operator of the B787-9, faced particular problems in that regard, needing to lease aircraft to replace B787-9s while they were out having their engines checked and serviced.

Rolls-Royce is working to fix the problems.

Written by Peter Needham