Also, it seems as though Qantas were pretty unlucky in this case. The recent FAA Airworthiness Directive relating to inspection of the Low Pressure Turbine for cracks (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAD.nsf/list/2010-17-10?OpenDocument) was not effective to 27 September 2010, and not required to be carried out until next engine shop visit. Qantas are fully compliant with the AD, so hopefully once the media realise that they lay off a bit. Well done to the pilots involved for staying calm and handling the situation exactly as trained and practiced. People should be thankful that Qantas mainline still require highly trained and experienced pilots. If only the same could be said for their subsidiary Jetstar who are employing self-funded cadets with about 200 hours flying experience and also looking to move their operating base offshore so they can pay the crew under the much cheaper Asian terms and conditions.

I agree with you Jim, comments on “news” articles like this make for endless entertainment. To clear a couple of random comments up: - Flier - the definition of catastrophic failure is one that results in loss of an aircraft and or multiple lives. - Michael and Paul - Fan blades are at the front of the engine. I think you mean turbine blade (photos clearly show the damage is at the back of the engine). - DavidM – How is a turbine spinning at nearly 4000 RPM going let go any way but outwards? I think you are referring to the fact modern engines have a Kevlar blanket around them to contain and fan/turbine failures allowing the debris to be spat out the back. - Nathan - When were 747s fitted with drop tanks? They aren't fighter planes. Pumping fuel overboard (after the failed engine has been shut down) is required to reduce the aircraft in order to make a safe landing so soon after takeoff. - Chris – So wings are designed to absorb shrapnel that has just come from an engine operating at temperatures around 1000 degrees C?? You mean the same wings that are full of fuel?

We are hearing about too many incidents with qantas. Something is clearly wrong with qantas planes and i am also surprised that some ppl r trying to write off all these incidents as if they r nothing serious. Come on ppl, in this case an engine exploded mid air! it is only a matter of time before these faulty planes start crashing. Too those ppl who blame overseas maintainance for all this, Why is that we never hear about Hong Kong, Thai, Malaysian or China airlines engines exploding mid air? These planes too are serviced overseas. Perhaps some of u would like to associate travelling on qantas with national pride but r u prepared to lose ur life for that?