What happened
On December 28, 2005, a Boeing 767-300 ER, registered as N175DN, departed Zurich Airport as flight DL67. While the aircraft was climbing through approximately 8,000 feet, the crew heard a loud bang originating from the number two engine, which was immediately followed by significant vibrations. The Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) began to rise, prompting the flight crew to shut down the engine.
Following the engine malfunction, the crew declared an emergency and initiated a return to Zurich Airport. Due to the circumstances of the flight, the aircraft performed an overweight landing on runway 14. After the aircraft reached the taxiway, the high temperatures of the brakes caused the fuses of several tires to blow.
The investigation
Investigators examined the engine failure and the subsequent ground incident. A technical inspection of the number two engine revealed a contained failure, specifically identifying damage to the fifth stage of the High Pressure Compressor (HPC). The investigation concluded that the engine failure did not pose a severe risk to the passengers, the crew, or the aircraft itself. The investigation into the specific root cause of the engine component failure was designated to be handled internally by the operator.
Findings
- The primary mechanical issue was a contained failure within the fifth stage of the High Pressure Compressor in the number two engine.
- The flight crew followed appropriate procedures, including the use of checklists and the decision to return to the airport immediately.
- The tire blowout on the taxiway was a secondary effect caused by elevated brake temperatures following the overweight landing.