History of the Flight
On 11 May 2022 at 06:37, Drukair Corporation Limited flight DRK151, an Airbus A319-115 registered as A5-RGF, departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport (VTBS) bound for Paro International Airport (VQPR). The flight crew consisted of a pilot (pilot flying) and a co-pilot (pilot monitoring), with 10 other personnel on board, including a licenced aircraft engineer, crew, and load master, totalling 12 people.
At 06:37:21, the aircraft took off from runway 19R. Four seconds later, at 06:37:25, the engine number 2 fire warning sounded for 9 seconds and then stopped. At 06:37:56, the captain called for ECAM action. At 06:38:36, the crew informed air traffic control (ATC) of technical issues and requested an immediate landing. At 06:40:47, the crew asked ATC if fire or smoke was visible from engine number 2; at 06:41:15, ATC responded that no fire was observed.
At 06:46:20, the crew advised ATC that the technical problem appeared spurious and that they could continue the flight. However, at 06:51:16, a continuous repetitive chime of the engine fire warning sounded for 24 seconds. At 06:51:35, the crew informed ATC of their intention to return to the airport due to technical issues. The aircraft landed on runway 19R at 07:05:00 and taxied to parking bay 501. During post-flight inspection, the ground services engineer observed fuel leaking from the bottom of engine number 2 and opened the cowling to investigate.
Injuries to Persons
There were no fatalities or serious injuries. All 12 occupants (crew and others) were uninjured.
Damage to Aircraft
The right engine (engine number 2) sustained significant damage. The following components were found damaged:
- Pneumatic duct and vibration sensor
- Pneumatic duct (additional damage)
- Heat insulation and ventilation pipe of the pneumatic duct
- Seal at the Variable Stator Vane (VSV) actuator
- Thermal blanket of the thrust reverser inner fixed structure
- Fire-damaged vibration sensor harness
Personnel Information
Pilot: Age 36, Bhutanese, held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) issued by Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) on 5 December 2011, last renewed on 20 October 2021, valid until 1 July 2022. Total flight time: 8,029:35 hours, with 7,694:35 hours on the Airbus A319. He had a Class 1 medical certificate valid until 30 June 2022 with no limitations.
Co-Pilot: Age 33, Bhutanese, held a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by BCAA on 12 October 2015, last renewed on 18 November 2021, valid until 12 October 2025. Total flight time: 2,827:20 hours, with 2,557:20 hours on the Airbus A319. He had a Class 1 medical certificate valid until 30 November 2022 with no limitations.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an Airbus A319-115, serial number 2306, manufactured in 2004. It was owned by Drukair Corporation Limited, with Bhutanese registration A5-RGF. The certificate of airworthiness was valid until 24 September 2022. At the time of the incident, the aircraft had accumulated 30,200:20 hours since new. The takeoff mass was 65,177 kg, and the landing mass was 58,177 kg.