What happened
On 18 May 2024, an Air India Express flight, operating an Airbus A3/20 with registration VT-ATF, departed Bengaluru International Airport for Cochin. Shortly after takeoff, while the aircraft was in its initial climb phase, the flight crew heard a loud bang originating from the right side of the aircraft. This was immediately followed by several technical anomalies, including fluctuations in the N1 RPM of the number two engine, a momentary engine stall warning, and a brief hydraulic system fault.
While the flight deck did not receive any automated fire warnings, a cabin crew member reported seeing fire on the right side of the engine via the intercom. The pilot in command and the monitoring pilot decided to abort the flight and return to Bengaluru. A "MAY DAY" call was issued to air traffic services. Upon landing, the crew attempted to use onboard extinguishers, but the fire persisted. The aircraft was eventually stopped at link ‘H’, where airport crash fire tenders used foam to extinguish the flames in the engine jet pipe. Due to the ongoing fire, an emergency evacuation was ordered. All passengers and crew successfully exited via the deployed slides, though 10 passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation.
The investigation
The AAIB India investigation focused on the mechanical state of the engines and the sequence of the failure. Investigators performed a borescope examination of the number two engine, which revealed the presence of metallic strands on the scavenge screen plugs and magnetic chips on the magnetic chip detector. Additionally, the high pressure turbine (HPT) aft blade strainer outer seal was found to be dislodged. Post-landing assessments also noted a significant discrepancy in engine oil levels, with the number two engine showing only 7.5 quarts compared to 17.5 quarts in the number one engine. The investigation is ongoing, with the engine's Electronic Control Unit sent to the manufacturer for data analysis.