What happened
On 10 February 2023, a Boeing 767-332(ER), registration N197DN, was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Edinburgh Airport to New York JFK. During the takeoff roll, a high-pressure turbine blade in the right engine fractured. This failure caused damage to five additional blades, resulting in significant engine vibration and an engine exhaust gas temperature (EGT) fluctuation.
As the aircraft climbed, the vibration became severe enough to cause a slat track housing drain tube in the wing to fracture. This structural failure allowed fuel to escape from the right wing tank. During the diversion to Prestwick Airport, the escaping fuel was ignited by the hot engine exhaust, creating visible flames under the wing that were captured on video by a passenger. The flight crew, unaware of the flames, proceeded with the approach and landed the aircraft at Prest/Prestwick Airport.
Upon arrival at the stand, the airport fire service identified a significant fuel leak from the right wing. The crew performed an orderly disembarkation of the 211 passengers and 10 crew members, with no injuries reported.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the turbine blade and the subsequent secondary failure of the drain tube. Investigators examined the engine components, the fractured drain tube, and the flight data. The investigation also reviewed the crew's response to the engine vibration and the EGT fluctuations, as well as the impact of the engine imbalance on the aircraft's wing structure.