§ Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the cause of the mishap which overtook a British European Airways Trident at Rome Airport on Thursday, 90W 1st October, 1970, when an engine blew up at the point of take-off; and what assurances can be given against the recurrence of such a happening.
§ Mr. NobleIn the course of the formal investigation instituted by the Italian authorities (who are being assisted by the Department of Trade and Industry's Accidents Investigation Branch) it has been established that the low-pressure compressor shaft of No. 1 engine disintegrated, which in turn ruptured the engine casing. This is the only known failure of such a shaft in some four million hours of Spey engine operation. Search for the cause of the failure is continuing; nevertheless, in accordance with normal practice, the Air Registration Board are being kept fully informed of the progress of the investigation, so that if necessary remedial action may be taken without delay.