Factual Information
On 6 December 2018, a Jet Airways ATR 72-500 aircraft, registration VT-JCN, was operating scheduled flight 9W-794 from Indore to Delhi. The flight crew consisted of an ATPL-holder as Pilot-in-Command and a CPL-holder as Co-Pilot. There were 66 passengers and 4 crew members (including 2 cabin crew) on board. The aircraft took off from Indore's Runway 25 at 1515 UTC.
History of the Flight
The takeoff and initial climb were uneventful. While passing flight level 150 (FL150) en route to FL180, approximately 76 nautical miles from Indore, the crew observed a right-hand (RH) engine fire warning in the cockpit. The Pilot-in-Command, who was the Pilot Monitoring, immediately took control from the Co-Pilot (Pilot Flying). The emergency checklist was performed, and one squib was discharged to extinguish the fire. The crew declared a MAYDAY to Nagpur Air Traffic Control (ATC) at 1537 UTC and decided to turn back to Indore.
A passenger seated at 11D reported seeing flames from the RH engine to cabin crew, who informed the flight deck. The cabin crew later noted the flames had subsided. Nagpur ATC notified Indore ATC of the emergency, and an overflying aircraft also relayed the information. Indore ATC declared a full emergency, holding departures and positioning fire tenders and ambulances on taxiways B and F. The aircraft contacted Indore ATC at 1545 UTC, confirming the fire was contained and they would land on a single engine. The aircraft landed safely on Runway 25 at 1607 UTC and taxied to parking stand 8, where normal disembarkation occurred. No injuries were reported.
Damage to Aircraft
Post-flight inspection revealed damage limited to the RH engine. Findings included rubbing marks on the impeller tip and oil stains on the aerofoil surface; broken No. 6 and No. 7 oil scavenge tubes with engine oil splashed on the bottom cowling; thirteen damaged power turbine (PT2) blades; a cracked turbine casing; damage to the breather tube outlet with material missing; and a burned QEC#3 harness near the ITT thermocouple junction. Boroscope inspection found leading edge coating erosion on all HPT blades, coating missing on the combustion chamber inner liner (exposing parent metal but no hole), and rubbing marks with oil stains on the LP impeller. All observations were within maintenance manual limits. The aircraft was returned to service after an engine replacement and necessary maintenance.
Other Information
Both pilots held valid licenses and medical certificates, were current on training, and had adequate rest prior to the flight. The aircraft, an ATR 72-500 (MSN 825, built in 2008), was owned by Constellation Aircraft Leasing Limited and operated by Jet Airways. It was certified under Indian regulations with a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.