History of the Flight
On 26 October 2019, an IndiGo Airbus A320-271N aircraft, registered VT-IZT, was operating a scheduled flight (6E-329) from Delhi to Goa. The aircraft departed Delhi at approximately 0534 UTC. During climb, at 0556 UTC and passing Flight Level 283, the crew heard a loud bang. The Engine 2 STALL ECAM warning triggered, followed by ENG 2 HGH VIB and ENG 2 EGT OVERLIMIT warnings. Engine parameters showed high vibrations (N1 at 10, N2 at 8) and rising exhaust gas temperature exceeding 1100°C. The crew followed QRH/FCOM procedures and decided to return to Delhi. After performing ECAM checklists without vibration reduction, they carried out a commanded in-flight shut down of Engine 2 during descent. ATC was informed, and the aircraft landed safely on single engine at Delhi at 0623 UTC. There were no injuries to any of the 162 passengers and 4 cabin crew, and no fire.
Damage to Aircraft
Post-flight inspection and tear-down examination of Engine 2 revealed significant damage. The Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) drive shaft showed contact rubbing. LPT stage 2 vanes and disk had impact damage with metal contamination. LPT stage 3 vanes were impacted, and all LPT stage 3 blades were found fractured. The turbine exhaust case also sustained impact damage.
Personnel Information
The Pilot-in-Command held an ATPL with 8415:20 total flying hours, including 1386:35 on type. The First Officer held a CPL with 385:33 total hours, 160:33 on type. Both had valid medicals and recent flying experience. No injuries were reported.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an Airbus A320-271N (NEO) with Pratt & Whitney PW1127G-JM engines. It was manufactured in 2019 and had no prior abnormalities reported on the day of the incident.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the probable cause of the incident to be failure of LPT 3rd stage blades leading to engine stall.