Incident Overview
On March 18, 2020, at 09:05 UTC, Vietnam Airlines flight VN920, an Airbus A321 with registration VN-A392, was departing from Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat International Airport) to Phnom Penh. During the take-off roll, when the aircraft's speed was between 100 and 120 knots (approximately 185 to 222 km/h), the flight crew heard a loud explosion on the right side of the aircraft and observed a tendency for the aircraft to deviate to the right of the runway. The captain executed a rejected take-off in accordance with the Aircraft Operation Manual and brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway.
Immediate Actions
After the aircraft stopped, the flight crew notified Air Traffic Control and performed troubleshooting procedures as per the Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM) system. They shut down engine #2 and discharged the No. 1 fire extinguisher for that engine. The Southern Airport Authority and Tan Son Nhat International Airport implemented safety emergency procedures, including collecting and marking debris and securing the aircraft.
Passenger and Crew Safety
At 16:33, all passengers disembarked via a ladder truck and were transported back to the terminal safely. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew members.
Initial Inspection and Data Collection
Initial inspection revealed damage to engine #2. Investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) arrived at the scene to gather information. The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) were secured and sent to the CAAV for data analysis. The CAAV notified the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the USA, and the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA) of France. Initial information, along with FDR and CVR data, was shared with the NTSB and BEA.
Investigation Progress
Following the issuance of an Emergency Airworthiness Directive by the FAA, the CAAV deployed it to all operators of V2500 engine series aircraft. In April 2020, the CAAV sent two fragments of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) first-stage disc to the engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney for metallurgical examination. The BEA conducted an initial assessment and analyzed the FDR and CVR data. On March 21, 2020, the NTSB and Pratt & Whitney suspected a manufacturing anomaly in the HPT first-stage disc. After receiving the fragments, Pratt & Whitney performed metallurgical examination and continuously updated the CAAV, NTSB, and BEA on progress and findings.
Current Status
Completion of the investigation is pending receipt of outstanding reports. The CAAV stated that the final report cannot be released within 12 months and will be made public at a later date.