Airbus A380s Inspected After Engine Explosion

Nov. 4, 2010— -- Airbus and engine-maker Rolls-Royce have asked airlines to inspect all the engines on their A380 superjumbo jets after an engine on a Qantas plane blew out this morning, forcing an emergency landing.

The engine apparently shot out flames and spewed large chunks of metal before the plane landing safely in Sydney, according to witnesses aboard the four-engine plane. The cause of the blowout wasn't immediately clear.

Qantas quickly grounded all six of its Airbus A380s, the world's largest passenger aircraft.

Singapore Airlines and German carrier Lufthansa also fly the A380 with the same Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine.

"All of our A380 aircraft will undergo a precautionary set of technical checks as advised by the manufacturers," Singapore spokesman James Boyd told ABC News. Boyd said Airbus and Rolls-Royce recommended a boroscope inspection, an internal look at engine parts

"This is a very reliable aircraft," Boyd added. "It's a very good aircraft. We've been very happy about it."

Despite additional A380 engine checks, Lufthansa will not cancel any flights, airline spokeswoman Lisa Dukowsk said.

"Rolls-Royce recommends airlines which operate the Trent 900 engines to run additional engine checks," she said. "Lufthansa will run those checks during the existing, planned ground times in Frankfurt and abroad and don't expect any disruptions to our operations by this."

Stay Up to Date on the Latest Travel Trends from ABC News on Twitter

"Engine failures are rare. Uncontained failures are very rare," said William Voss of the Flight Safety Foundation. "Since the Sioux City crash, manufacturers have been careful to design aircraft so that critical systems are not damaged if an uncontained failure occurs."

"The engine failure on Qantas was very unusual and very severe," Voss added. "It is particularly troubling that there appears to be damage to the wing as a result of the failure. The good news is that it appears everything kept operating normally since the pilot took the time to dump fuel and make a normal landing."

An Airbus spokeswoman refused to comment about the inspection directive and Rolls-Royce didn't immediately provide a spokesperson.

"The aircraft landed safely in Singapore and Airbus is providing all necessary technical assistance," Airbus spokeswoman Mary Anne Greczyn said. "An investigation will be led by Australian authorities. Airbus is providing full support and is dispatching a team."