B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 29600; Flight Crew Type 400
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
I am new on the 777. After 10 years on the 747; I must admit; I have not yet achieved a comfort level in the 777. Therefore; I keep a very close eye on the engine instruments. I had the second break; and during the first 6 hours or so of the international flight; I did notice the engine vibration on the #1 engine was a little higher than #2; about 2.5. In the engine compacted mode; on the upper EICAS screen; which seems to be the SOP on the 777; there is no scale for engine vibration; just a number; so; I didn't worry about it; (much). After coming back to the cockpit from my break; about an hour and 10 minutes from destination; I noticed a note on the center pedestal from maintenance inquiring about the health of our #1 engine. After consulting with my crew; they assured me the engine the engine had been running fine the entire time I was on my break. Indeed the engine ran perfectly; and indicated normally; except for the engine vibration indication; during the remainder of the cruise; descent; approach and landing. During taxi in; we had to stop before turning into the gate. When I added power to turn into the gate; we heard a loud rubbing sound; and vibration from the #1 engine; which got louder and more pronounced when I shut the engine down. The mechanic then got on the headset; and said;'you broke it; we will have to replace the engine'. The next day; the mechanic told my flying first officer; 'I am surprised they didn't turn you back to departure airport' with the condition of that engine. It was very interesting to learn that maintenance knows more about the condition of the engines on my airplane than the flight crew does.
B777 Captain on an international overwater flight reported he experienced an engine failure on taxi in at destination. Reporter commented that maintenance was watching the engine with some concern; but the only cockpit indication of a problem was slightly elevated engine vibration indication.