2022-03 · NASA ASRS report 1880517
Flight Crew reported engine EPR surging on #1 engine after take off. The Flight Crew elected to perform an air turn back and precautionary landing at departure airport.
At V1; the Captain (Pilot Monitoring) noticed the #1 engine was surging between approximately 1.35 to 1.5 EPR. After raising the gear; he pointed out the engine issue; and we elected to continue the climb while monitoring the engine for further indications of the issue. The engine continued to surge during the climb; with both the N1; EGT; and engine noise seeming to correspond with the surging engine. Upon reaching thrust-reduction altitude; we reduced the power to the CLIMB setting; which seemed to have minimal effect on the surge. The Captain coordinated with ATC that we wanted to continue the climb to our assigned altitude; but might need to return to ZZZ to land due to an engine issue. We continued our climb to 5;000 MSL; and as the engine power reduced to maintain 230 kts.; the surging seemed to subside. We concluded that the surging seemed to coincide with higher power settings; and continuing the climb to cruising altitude and on to ZZZ1 didn't seem prudent. The Captain coordinated with ATC for the return to ZZZ; informed the passengers of the issue and that we would be returning to base; and we set up for the RNAV to XXC. The approach and landing were uneventful.Unsure of the causal factors of why the engine would surge; but it seemed to be related to the higher power settings.
After rotation; I noticed the 1 engine EPR fluctuating. I pointed it out to the FO (First Officer). It wasn't fluctuating bad at first but as the aircraft climbed the surging got worse. By the time we reached Acceleration altitude The EPR gauge was fluctuating between 1.35 and 1.5 EPR. The fuel flow; EGT and N1/N2 were fluctuating also. The FO reduced power to CLB power and the surging slowed but continued. I notified Departure that we might have to return to the airport but I wanted to continue straight out to get some altitude. I also wanted to see how the engine behaved after we leveled off and reduce power. Thinking we might have to shut it down if it got worse at a lower power setting. Reaching 5;000 ft. and reducing the power the surging stopped. It was at that time that we told Departure Control that we were ready to return to ZZZ. The remainder of the flight was normal. We landed Runway XXC.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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