Saab 340 flight crew reported a compressor stall on the left engine after takeoff. The crew performed an air turn back and precautionary landing at the departure airport.
Synopsis
Saab 340 flight crew reported a compressor stall on the left engine after takeoff. The crew performed an air turn back and precautionary landing at the departure airport.
Narrative
Part 135 Operations. It was a normal start; taxi and takeoff. All checklists were done normally. The weather was gusting 060 21-24 knots with broken cloud layers and rain showers frequently rolling in. It was the First Officer's (FO) leg. An A Method takeoff was performed. On the takeoff roll; all indications were showing normal per operations. It was a Runway XX departure to a turn to a heading of 340 at about 1;000 ft. the Pilot Monitoring (PM) began to dial down the CTOT (Constant Torque on Takeoff) and the Crew heard a large popping sound from the Engine. It was determined at the time a Compressor Stall had occurred and were experiencing an Engine Failure. Airspeed and heading were established. Flight controls were transferred to the Captain and the First Officer performed memory items; communicated with Tower; and completed the before landing checklist. The decision was made to return to ZZZ airport immediately; avoiding flying into IMC single engine. It is believed that the engine instruments were in the Green; except for the Left Engine Oil Pressure. It was extremely turbulent on the departure and the first priority was establishing positive control. The aircraft returned safely with a single engine landing to ZZZ.
Second reporter narrative
Weather at the time of the incident was scattered ceilings and showers in the area. Wind 060 @ 21G33 knts. Light to moderate turbulence was encountered shortly after takeoff. The First Officer (FO) was the Pilot Flying (PF) and the Captain (CA) was the Pilot Monitoring (PM). At acceleration altitude; a turn to 340 was initiated and a climb check was called. The PM began the climb flow of dialing down the CTOT (Constant Torque On Takeoff) and setting climb power. I saw erratic indications and heard loud banging noises coming from the Left Engine. The PF transferred control to the PM. At this point the CA is now the PF and the FO is now the PM. The PM dialed down the CTOT and confirmed power reduction on the Left Engine. The PM then confirmed Autocoarsen (indicating an Engine Failure) and the PF called for Engine Failure memory items. The PM completed the memory items; and requested fire trucks. Due to the nature of the situation and the adverse weather approaching the airport; the CA elected to return to ZZZ for landing. The before landing checklist was completed and the landing was uneventful. The aircraft was stopped on the runway to assess the situation. It was determined that the aircraft could be safely taxied to the gate. Once at the gate; we completed the after landing and parking checklist. Once the aircraft was safely parked; the CA made a PA to the Passengers stating that we had experienced an equipment malfunction and returned to ZZZ. The Customer Service Agents would be able to help get to their final destinations.All Passenger comments addressed to me were that of gratitude for a safe flight.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.