What happened
On March 27, 2014, an Embraint 175, registration SP-LIC, was performing a takeoff roll on runway 29 at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). Approximately 200 meters into the takeoff roll, while the aircraft was traveling at a speed of 30 knots, the crew observed a drop in N1 RPM in the number one engine.
In response to the engine malfunction, the flight crew immediately aborted the takeoff and taxied the aircraft back to the parking stand. The aircraft reached a maximum takeoff roll speed of 36 knots before the decision was made to stop. Upon returning to the stand, a technical inspection revealed that the number one engine was unserviceable due to a compressor surge.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by PLL LOT S.A., focused on the mechanical failure of the engine components. The technical examination established that the engine failure was caused by physical contact between internal rotating and stationary components. The investigation also reviewed the operator's maintenance actions, engine software versions, and data transmission protocols between the aircraft and GE servers to ensure engine health monitoring was functioning correctly.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was contact between the rotor blades and the high-pressure compressor stator blades.
- This contact was triggered by material fatigue within a stator element.
- The engine failure resulted in a compressor surge, rendering the engine unfit for continued operation.