While taking off from Singapore's Changi Airport, Qantas Flight 32 experienced a significant failure in one of its four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, which led to an uncontained engine failure. At approximately 4,000 feet altitude over Indonesia, a loud bang was heard, and the crew saw an increase in engine vibrations. The airplane, an Airbus A380, suffered damage that included hydraulic fluid loss and control surface issues, crippling several systems that were critical for safe flight operations.

Captain Richard de Crespigny, in command of a highly trained flight crew, swiftly assessed the situation, executed emergency checklists, and communicated effectively with air traffic control. They were able to stabilize the aircraft despite critical systems being impacted and navigate back toward Singapore, where they safely landed after skilled maneuvering and teamwork, with no reported injuries among the passengers or crew.

This incident highlighted the robustness of both the Airbus A380 design and the training of its pilots, as it showcased their ability to handle extreme situations in commercial aviation. Post-incident investigations revealed that a manufacturing defect in the Trent 900 engine led to the failure, prompting reviews of engine protocols and maintenance practices across the airline industry.