Airbus Industrie A320-211 , VH-HYJ

While cruising at flight level 390 (FL390) the number 1 engine
failed. The crew made a PAN call to air traffic control (ATC)
advising of the problem and requesting descent. A descent clearance
was issued and the aircraft was given a direct track for final
approach to runway 34L. An alert phase was declared by ATC. The
pilot subsequently advised that no emergency existed and that a
normal approach and landing was expected. As a precaution,
emergency services were placed on a local standby. The aircraft
subsequently landed safely.

An inspection of the engine by the operator found that both the
high and low-pressure rotating assemblies were seized, and that
there was light metal contamination on the chip detector. After
removing and dismantling the engine, it was determined that the
number 4 bearing had failed. The operator reported that the bearing
had been in service for 21,004 hours since new, and 10,128 hours
since the last visual inspection of that component. The chip
detector had been inspected about 25 hours prior to the failure and
found clean.

There have been two other similar reported failures in
Australia. The engine manufacturer has reported that an improved
bearing will be available shortly. The operator plans to review
chip detector inspection periods in the interim.