A Taiwan-based China Airlines Airbus A350-900 aircraft, operating flight CI-753 from Taipei to Singapore, was forced to return to Taiwan following an in-flight engine malfunction. The incident occurred on 9 April 2025.
Fault Detected in Trent Engine
During the flight, the aircraft’s right engine (a Rolls-Royce Trent XWB) experienced a fault. The flight crew noticed irregular engine performance, shut it down as a safety precaution, and decided to continue the flight using a single engine.
The aircraft descended in a controlled manner from its cruising altitude of FL390 (approximately 39,000 feet) to FL240 (around 24,000 feet) while flying over the South China Sea.
Safe Landing After 3 Hours on One Engine
Following the engine malfunction, the aircraft continued flying for approximately three hours on one engine. In line with international aviation procedures, the pilots diverted back to Taipei and completed a safe landing. No injuries were reported.
China Airlines Statement: Passenger Safety is Our Priority
In an initial statement, China Airlines officials said: “Our flight crew was trained and prepared. All procedures were followed correctly. Passenger safety is always our top priority.” Passengers were later rebooked on alternative flights to reach their destinations.
Rolls-Royce Trent XWB Engines
The Trent XWB engines, used on the Airbus A350 series, are developed by Rolls-Royce and are known for their high performance. However, rare technical issues can still occur. In such cases, aircraft equipped with ETOPS certification are designed to fly long distances safely on a single engine.
