Incident Overview
On September 19, 2016, at approximately 0824 EDT, Aruba Airlines flight AG-820, an Airbus A320-200 registered as P4-AAA, departed from Miami International Airport (KMIA) bound for Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba. The aircraft, powered by two IAE V2527 turbofan engines, experienced a separation of the outboard fan cowl from the right-hand engine during takeoff. The flight crew was initially unaware of the anomaly until a passenger notified the cabin crew, who relayed the information. The crew leveled off at flight level 220 to assess the situation. All cockpit systems appeared normal, but as a precaution, the crew decided to return to Miami. The aircraft landed uneventfully on runway 09 at KMIA approximately 40 minutes after departure. There were no injuries, but the aircraft sustained damage to the engine, engine pylon, right main landing gear, right main landing gear door, and right fuselage.
Maintenance and Inspection
The night before the incident, the aircraft underwent routine weekly maintenance, which included opening the fan cowl doors to inspect the Integrated Drive Generator (IDG). The mechanic who performed the work used a flashlight to verify that the latches were flush and heard them click. A second mechanic assisting also verified the latches were flush, but did not use a flashlight. The task was signed off in the logbook without specifying that the cowls had been opened and closed. On the morning of the incident, the maintenance supervisor performed a walkaround with a flashlight (though not required) and observed nothing unusual. The first officer conducted an exterior walkaround prior to departure, checking that the cowl was flush and latched, and noted no abnormalities.
Examination Findings
Examination of the No. 2 engine fan cowl revealed fractures and delamination of the composite structure. The fracture patterns were consistent with initial failure occurring in the bottom and aft portion of the cowl, and were consistent with the two aft latches not being properly latched. The inboard cowl half showed cracks in the outer skin at the aft root end of a chine. The latch keepers exhibited some play but no signs of wear or deformation. Alignment pins were intact and undamaged.
Regulatory and Operator Actions
Prior to the incident, regulatory authorities had issued airworthiness directives addressing fan cowl door losses on IAE V2500-equipped aircraft. EASA AD 2016-0053 was released in March 2016 to improve latch and keeper assemblies; Aruba Airlines was tracking and scheduling its compliance. The FAA later issued AD 2017-13-10, effective August 3, 2017. Following the incident, Aruba Airlines implemented modifications per Goodrich Service Bulletin V2500-NAC-71-0325 to alert personnel when fan cowl doors are open. Maintenance entries are now made in the aircraft log to notify flight crews when cowl doors have been opened, and flight crews are required to perform a close inspection of the latches upon seeing such entries.