SAS A350 returns to Copenhagen after engine shutdown en route to Tokyo

A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Airbus A350-900 bound for Tokyo Haneda made a precautionary return to Copenhagen Airport on Monday after the crew shut down one of the aircraft’s engines following an in-flight indication of low oil pressure.

Flight SK983, operated by Airbus A350-941 registered SE-RSF, departed Copenhagen at 13:04 local time for the scheduled 12-hour 35-minute service to Tokyo. After climbing to its cruising altitude of 37,000 feet, the crew received indications of a loss of oil pressure in one of the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines while flying over Poland.

In accordance with standard operating procedures, the pilots shut down the affected engine and elected to return to Copenhagen. The Airbus A350 is certified to continue flying safely on a single engine under Extended-range Twin-engine Operations (ETOPS) regulations.

The aircraft landed safely on runway 22L at Copenhagen at 15:14 local time, approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes after departure. Airport emergency services attended the arrival as a precaution, but no further issues were reported.

SAS described the return as a precautionary measure and arranged a replacement aircraft to continue the journey to Japan. The airline initially targeted a revised departure for Tokyo later the same afternoon while re-accommodating affected passengers.

The incident marks another example of modern long-haul aircraft safely returning to base after an engine-related technical indication. Although an engine shutdown in flight is uncommon, twin-engine aircraft such as the Airbus A350 are specifically designed and certified to complete flights safely on a single engine when required.