The paper presents an analysis of the most common damage incidents of the RD-33 turbine jet engine. Extended research on the assessment of powertrain reliability enabled a detailed identification of the causes of individual damage incidents along with possible threats. The presented statistical data related to the frequency of occurrence of individual damage incidents in recent years are particularly noteworthy. RD-33 is a newly designed engine, yet, in recent years it has gathered a very good opinion in the Polish Air Force, the effect of which are the efforts made by the military services and scientists aiming at the extending its proper and trouble free operation.