What happened
On 23 March 2017, a Regional Express SAAB 340B, registered VH-RXS, departed Dubbo Airport in New South Wales for a scheduled passenger flight to Sydney. The aircraft was carrying three crew members and 26 passengers.
During the climb through approximately 4,300 feet, the flight crew experienced several loud bangs and jolts originating from the right engine. This was immediately followed by cockpit master warnings, engine instrument alerts, and a noticeable burning smell. The crew promptly executed engine failure memory items, successfully shutting down the right engine.
After stabilizing the aircraft, the crew declared a PAN PAN urgency condition and requested emergency services. To manage the workload, the first officer maneuvered the aircraft to a clear area south-east of Duble. The captain then determined that Dubbo was the most suitable airport for an emergency landing. Following a review of the weather, the crew opted for a visual approach to avoid cloud cover. The aircraft landed safely on runway 05 at 10:04, with no injuries reported and only minor damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical cause of the engine failure. An engineering examination of the right engine revealed that the number four bearing had failed. This failure caused the high pressure compressor to move off-center, leading to significant internal damage and the subsequent loss of engine power. Initial findings suggested the bearing failure was consistent with overheating, likely caused by a lack of lubrication, though the specific cause of the lubrication deficiency had not been finalized at the time of the report.
Findings
- The failure of the number four bearing in the right engine resulted in a total loss of power from that engine.