What happened
On August 15, 2010, a Japan Airlines International Co., Ltd. McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30, registered JA002D, departed Sendai Airport for Fukuoka Airport. Shortly after takeoff, air traffic controllers observed white smoke emanating from the right engine. As the aircraft climbed through approximately 3,000 feet, the flight crew noted low oil pressure indications on the engine instruments.
At an altitude of roughly 5,500 feet, the right engine fire warning alarm activated. The crew immediately declared a state of emergency, reduced thrust, and initiated emergency procedures. After activating the fire-extinguishing systems, the aircraft returned to Sendai Airport and landed safely at 16:23. There were 111 people on board, including 106 passengers and 5 crewmembers, and no injuries were reported. Post-landing inspections confirmed heat damage within the right engine cowling.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) conducted an investigation involving a teardown inspection of the engine and a detailed analysis of the No. 4 Bearing Scavenge Tube. Investigators examined the fracture surfaces of the tube and reviewed maintenance records, including engine oil consumption rates. The investigation also included functional tests of the Master Warning and Caution Controller (MWCC) and coordination with authorities in the United States and the United Kingdom to examine the fatigue crack progression and the possibility of assembly-induced stress.