Incident Overview
On July 26, 2006, an Airbus A320-212 operated by Monarch Airlines with registration G-MONX departed Faro Airport (FAO) runway 28 at approximately 18:00 UTC. The aircraft was en route to Manchester, United Kingdom, carrying two pilots, five cabin crew members, and 145 passengers.
Sequence of Events
During the initial climb phase, with the autopilot disengaged and autothrottle active, the flight crew heard a loud bang followed by significant vibration as the aircraft crossed 3,000 feet at an indicated airspeed of 320 knots. The Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) displayed an "ENG 1 FAIL" indication. The engine one vibration indicator reached its maximum scale value of 9.9.
In accordance with procedures for severe engine damage, the pilots shut down Engine 1 and activated the fire extinguishing system as a precautionary measure. They declared a Mayday emergency and held at the published holding point for approximately 20 minutes to allow for fuel consumption and completion of checklists. The aircraft subsequently landed on runway 28 using one-engine inoperative procedures. Although the landing weight exceeded the maximum certified limit, the procedure complied with manufacturer guidelines.
Investigation Findings
The Portuguese Air Accident Investigation Board (GPIAA) investigated the incident under Report No. 18/INCID/2006. Post-incident examination of Engine 1 revealed general erosion on fan blades and abnormal wear attributed to high vibrations. Bearings 1 and 2 were found contaminated with oil due to hydraulic system damage caused by metal debris. The fixing screws for the bearing support were loose, and their mounting holes showed significant wear with a high concentration of metallic particles.
Outcome
No fatalities or injuries were reported among the crew or passengers. There was no fire on board, and no third-party damages occurred. Emergency services were alerted but did not need to intervene as the landing was uneventful.