A321 air carrier flight crew reported engine stall on climbout. The flight crew returned to departure airport; landed; and taxied to the gate where passengers deplaned.
Synopsis
A321 air carrier flight crew reported engine stall on climbout. The flight crew returned to departure airport; landed; and taxied to the gate where passengers deplaned.
Narrative
We departed ZZZ on Day 0 around XA35 off Runway XXR. I was the Pilot Flying (PF) and the Captain was Pilot Monitoring (PM). It was a rainy night with now Post-Tropical Storm pushing through the area. Upon reaching roughly 400-500 ft.; just before we were getting ready to make the right turn on the ZZZZZ SID; we heard multiple load bangs come from the #2 Engine. These bangs were accompanied with fluctuating engine parameters on #2 and a loss of power. This happened a few more times as we were analyzing the situation. Shortly after; we received the ENG 2 STALL ECAM; to which we followed and brought ENG 2 to Idle. Once at Idle; the ENG 2 parameters were normal and we had no indication of fire or damage. We didn't see or hear any birds hitting the aircraft; so we didn't believe we ingested anything into ENG 2. Since we had no idea why ENG 2 stalled; we wanted to get on the ground ASAP due to fear of ENG 1 stalling as well. After we completed the ECAM; we immediately begun our return to ZZZ. The Captain and I delegated duties prior to running the ECAM; and I continued as pilot flying and took over the radios; while the Captain first worked the ECAM; and then began to prepare for our return to ZZZ. We requested an immediate return to ZZZ and [requested priority handling]. We climbed to 3;000 ft. and received vectors back to Runway XX at ZZZ which we had loaded into the Secondary Flight Plan.The Captain was in communication with the Flight Attendants and made them aware of the situation. They actually called us as the stall was happening. The Captain gave them the briefing and prepared them for our return. The Captain made a PA to the passengers to advise them of what happened and that we were returning to ZZZ. The Captain loaded the new flight plan back to ZZZ; sent for landing numbers; and coordinated our return with operations. While heading back to ZZZ; the Flight Attendants called again advising us that a passenger had passed out. We relayed this information to ATC and made sure paramedics would be waiting at the gate. Since we had no reason to believe there was any fire or damage; we elected to taxi off the runway and to the gate upon landing in ZZZ. ATC cleared all traffic out of our way and vectored us back to Runway XX in ZZZ. We were just under Max Landing Weight for the A321. After a successful landing on Runway XX; we taxied to the gate. Once off the runway; we communicated with Operations to make sure everything was ready for us and paramedics were standing by; which they were. Once we were able to get the passenger who passed out medical attention; we deplaned under normal procedures. From takeoff to landing; we were back on the ground in 16 minutes.
Second reporter narrative
Shortly after departing [Runway] XXR at ZZZ; and climbing through approximately 400 ft.-500 ft. AGL; loud bangs were heard from engine 2. The First Officer and myself began to assess the situation; and noticed large fluctuations with the number 2 engine instruments. Shortly following these events; we received an ENG 2 STALL ECAM. We had just about reached our required turn on the ZZZZZ departure; but elected to deviate straight out per the engine fail procedure. [Priority handling was requested] with Departure; and we requested to return to ZZZ for Runway XX. After applying the ECAM procedures; the engine parameters returned to normal after setting idle thrust on engine 2; and the ECAM extinguished. Company was notified of the situation via Operations frequency; the Flight Attendants were briefed and the passengers were informed by a PA announcement. Just prior to landing; we were informed by the flight attendants that a passenger had passed out. We passed this information on to ATC as well as operations and requested EMT assistance at the gate. After landing; we elected to taxi off the runway and proceed to the gate. Immediately after clearing the runway; I made a PA announcement to remind everyone to remain seated with their seat belts fastened. Crash Fire Rescue was awaiting our arrival and followed us until we were parked. Maintenance and fire rescue personnel reported that there was no obvious damage to the affected engine.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.