What happened
During the takeoff phase of a regularly scheduled passenger flight, the aircraft experienced a complete loss of power in the right engine, resulting in a flameout. The crew responded by securing the affected engine and proceeded with an uneventful single-engine landing. There was no further damage to the airframe, and no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.
The investigation
A physical examination of the failed engine revealed that the compressor turbine wheel had separated from the assembly. The internal damage was localized to the wheel, vane ring, shroud, and duct group. A subsequent metallurgical analysis determined that one of the compressor blades had failed due to fatigue. The origin of this fatigue fracture was identified in the area of the root trailing edge.
Findings
The investigation could not determine the specific reason for the initiation of the fatigue fracture. However, the mechanical failure of the compressor turbine wheel was confirmed as the direct cause of the engine flameout. The crew managed the emergency effectively, ensuring a safe landing despite the loss of one engine.
Safety message
This incident highlights the importance of rigorous maintenance and inspection protocols for critical engine components to detect early signs of material fatigue before they lead to catastrophic failure.