Bombardier CL-600-2C10 Engine Failure Incident at East London Airport (ZS-NBG)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On 11 May 2018, a Bombardier CL-600-2C10 aircraft, registered as ZS-NBG, was operating a scheduled commercial flight (SA1412) from East London Airport (FAEL) in the Eastern Cape Province to O.R. Tambo International Airport (FAOR) in Gauteng Province. The flight was conducted under Part 121 of the Civil Aviation Regulations. At the time of the incident, the aircraft carried four crew members and 52 passengers. ## Sequence of Events The aircraft took off from Runway 29 at approximately 0616Z. During the initial climb, the crew engaged the autopilot at 600 feet above ground level (AGL). At approximately 800 feet AGL, the aircraft experienced high vibrations followed by a loud noise from the rear. The crew identified the number 1 engine as having failed and executed the relevant memory items and quick reference handbook (QRH) procedures. The captain declared a “PAN-PAN” emergency to air traffic control (ATC) and the aircraft continued its climb on a single engine, leveling off at approximately 3,000 feet AGL. The crew did not attempt to relight the engine. Following ATC instructions, the aircraft returned to East London Airport and landed safely on Runway 29 at approximately 0653Z. ## Investigation Findings and Outcome The investigation determined that the number 1 engine failed due to stage-two high-pressure turbine assembly blade separations caused by fatigue. Examination of the fractured surfaces indicated that the fatigue originated at the convex shank surface. No injuries were reported among the crew or passengers. The damage to the aircraft was limited to the number 1 engine. The incident was investigated by the Accident and Incident Investigations Division of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).