History of the Flight
On 7 March 2019, Go Airlines (India) Limited flight G8-150, operated by Airbus A320-271N aircraft VT-WGT, departed Patna Airport at 1138 UTC bound for Delhi. The aircraft carried 134 passengers, 4 cabin crew, and 2 pilots, both holding Airline Transport Pilot Licenses. No abnormalities were reported on previous flights that day.
At 1217 UTC, while cruising at an altitude of 38,000 feet, an Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) warning triggered for engine oil pressure. The oil pressure of Engine #1 dropped from below 100 to 2 within five seconds. The crew reduced engine power to idle. Subsequently, an ENG1 FAIL ECAM warning activated. The crew executed ECAM procedures and performed a commanded in-flight shut down (IFSD) of Engine #1 at 1219 UTC.
Due to abnormal engine parameters and the shut down, the crew decided to divert to Lucknow. A "Land ASAP" amber indication also appeared. After coordination with Varanasi Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft descended to flight level 240 and then transferred to Lucknow ATC. The aircraft landed uneventfully on a single engine at Lucknow at 1247 UTC. Passengers disembarked normally.
Injuries to Persons
No injuries occurred to any occupants on board.
Damage to Aircraft
Post-flight inspection revealed oil traces on the exhaust area nozzle, tail cone, drain mast, and thrust reverser cowl. Engine #1 oil quantity was 2 quarts, compared to 20 quarts at departure. Metal particles were found on the engine #1 main gear box (MGB) chip collector. The engine was removed for detailed examination.
Tear-down inspection of the main gear box assembly found:
- Fractured MOP/IDG gear
- Wear beyond limits on the gearbox driveshaft cover
- Fractured and holed MGB housing with deep scoring
- Distorted starter drive oil nozzle and oil passage
- Denting and scoring on the MGB IDG deoiler cover
- Scored PMA gear shaft with broken teeth
- Gouged/nicked oil transfer tube
- Dented rollers on gearbox shaft bearing
- Broken teeth on deoiler gear shaft
- Metal debris in the angle gearbox assembly
Damage was confined to the main gear box group of Engine #1.
Other Information
The aircraft was released for operations after engine removal. The incident was classified as a serious incident and investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under Rule 11 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017.