Jet2.com Boeing 737-800 Engine Failure at Ibiza Airport (G-GDFC)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On July 21, 2011, at 10:01 UTC, a Boeing 737-800 with registration G-GDFC, operated by Jet2.com, departed from Ibiza Airport (Illes Balears) on commercial flight EXS170 to Manchester. The aircraft was carrying 180 passengers and a crew of six. Weather conditions were favorable, with good visibility, light winds, and a surface temperature of 27 °C. The first officer served as the pilot flying for the departure. ## Engine Failure and Crew Response Shortly after the aircraft became airborne, repeated detonations were heard from the right engine (Engine No. 2), and flames were observed from the engine exhaust by the Ibiza control tower. Initially, the crew suspected a landing gear tire failure, but 26 seconds later, they identified the issue as an engine failure. The crew retracted the landing gear, continued the climb on both engines, and declared a MAYDAY emergency. As high-pressure turbine vibrations increased and exhaust gas temperatures (EGT) slightly exceeded limits, the crew shut down the right engine. Having passed the established engine-failure acceleration altitude of 1,000 feet, they climbed to 3,000 feet and set the operating engine to maximum continuous power. The crew reported no visible fire and requested a holding area for checks. ## Diversion to Palma de Mallorca The crew decided to divert to Palma de Mallorca, approximately 75 nautical miles from Ibiza, based on pre-flight briefing protocols for emergencies. They were vectored to the MJV VOR for a holding pattern. While maintaining 3,000 feet, the crew retracted the flaps and set the aircraft to a clean configuration at 230 knots. They performed the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedure for “Engine Severe Damage or Separation.” Cabin crew informed the passengers of the situation, noting that some had observed flames from the right engine. The crew decided against attempting an in-flight restart. At 10:11 UTC, the crew programmed the navigation system for Palma and estimated an overweight of 1,300 kg. ## Landing and Aftermath The crew received weather information for Palma, including runway 24L in use, wind from 220° at 10 knots gusting 15, and a QNH of 1,012 hPa. They conducted a briefing on the holding pattern and the approach, including a missed approach procedure. The aircraft made a stabilized approach and a soft landing on runway 24L at Palma de Mallorca, concluding a flight that lasted approximately 40 minutes. The aircraft taxied off the runway and stopped on a taxiway for fire services to inspect the right engine. After confirming there was no fire, the aircraft taxied to its parking stand under escort, and passengers disembarked normally. ## Investigation Findings No injuries were reported, and the only damage to the aircraft was internal damage to the affected engine. The technical investigation determined that the engine failure was caused by the total deterioration of bearing No. 4.