What happened
On July 24, 2015, an Airbus A320-232 was performing a takeoff from Katowice-Pyrzowice Airport (EPKT) when the crew received an ENG #2 FAIL alert. The crew responded by initiating an aborted takeoff before reaching V1 speed. The aircraft remained on the runway centerline during the deceleration and braking process. Following the aborted takeoff, the crew shut down the number two engine, and the aircraft taxied to the parking stand using the remaining functional engine.
After passengers had disembarked, maintenance personnel were called to inspect the aircraft. Upon opening the engine cowlings, investigators identified evidence of fuel leakage originating from the engine drain mast. During subsequent ground testing, including several engine runs at idle and full power, fuel was observed seeping from the Fuel Management Unit (FMU) drain mast during the initial idle test, but the leakage did not recur during subsequent high-power operations. Following a reset of the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and inspections of the fuel system connections, no further anomalies were detected, and the aircraft was returned to service.
The investigation
The investigation focused on determining the source of the engine failure alert and the cause of the fuel leakage observed at the drain mast. The investigation team examined the engine cowlings, inspected the fuel system connections for leaks, and performed a series of engine ground runs at both idle and full power. The investigation also reviewed maintenance records from the period preceding the event.
Findings
- The ENG #2 FAIL alert was triggered by a FADEC system error.
- The fuel leakage observed at the drain mast was caused by excess fuel accumulating within the FMU line and being expelled during engine acceleration to full power.
- The accumulated fuel in the FMU line was a residue from maintenance activities performed three days prior to the incident.