B737-800 flight crew reported safely diverting to an alternate airport after experiencing #1 engine issues that resulted in an inflight shutdown.
Synopsis
B737-800 flight crew reported safely diverting to an alternate airport after experiencing #1 engine issues that resulted in an inflight shutdown.
Narrative
While climbing out of ZZZ; at approximately 30;000 feet; we heard noise and felt vibration from the #1 engine. Very quickly; smoke started appearing in the cockpit through the ceiling vents. I turned the autopilot and autothrottles off and pulled the #1 thrust lever to idle. We donned our oxygen masks and [asked for assistance] and requested to land at ZZZ1. The smoke dissipated within 3 minutes although we could still smell it in the air. I talked to the flight attendants; and they echoed what we experienced with the smoke in the cockpit - it dissipated quickly. I tried pushing the #1 thrust lever up slowly and started to experience the vibration again; so I pulled it back to idle and left it there. We had just passed over ZZZ1 so we were very close to the airport - because of this; there was no need to do a drift down analysis. Because; in my opinion; [I had] such a sharp First Officer; I felt the safest course of action was for [them] to continue running the checklists while I flew the airplane and talked to ATC. I felt it would have caused more confusion to transfer controls. We requested a descent and vectors so that we could run checklists and prepare for an approach and landing at the ZZZ1 airport. Once we got the aircraft stabilized in a descent; I called the flight attendants to get a situation report - they assured me everything was good in the cabin. I made an announcement to the passengers that we would be diverting to ZZZ1. I also sent a diversion message to dispatch. I told the FAs that we would stop on the runway and that we would not be evacuating. We ran the Smoke; Fire or Fumes checklist followed by the Engine Failure or Shutdown checklist. The Smoke; Fire or Fumes checklist is lengthy; but I could see no reason to rush through the checklist since the smoke had dissipated and there was no evidence of a need to rush through any parts of the checklist in order to land more quickly. Rushing is always a threat to safety so I did not want myself or [the F/O] to feel rushed. I asked for the Engine Failure or Shutdown checklist so that we could start cooling that engine down prior to landing - the oil temperature was higher than normal. We set up for a Flaps 15; single engine approach to runway XXR in ZZZ1; briefed the approach; and requested vectors to join the final. Once we were fully configured for landing; I turned the autopilot off. When I did; the flight directors disappeared from both sides. It was a clear VFR day; and I was stabilized with the VASI in sight; so I felt the safest course of action was to continue the approach and land without the flight director. It was a stable approach throughout. We landed in ZZZ1 and stopped on the runway allowing CFR trucks to observe the outside of the aircraft. When they gave us the 'all clear' we attempted to taxi to the gate. Unfortunately; one of the brakes had locked up; so we requested a tow tractor to pull us into the gate. All the passengers were seen by the fire rescue team and no injuries were reported to my knowledge.The causal factor was a problem with the #1 engine. I don't know how this could have been avoided.
Second reporter narrative
We were passing through approximately 30;000 feet when we heard a loud noise followed by feeling high vibrations from the number one engine. As well as abnormal engine indications on the number one engine; at this moment immediately the cockpit and cabin started filling with smoke with a strong odor. We donned our oxygen masks; The CA turned off the auto-throttles and autopilot and brought the number one engine to idle while we [requested assistance] with ATC; requesting to divert to ZZZ1 airport and performed an descent while checking on the cabin. The smoke started to dissipate within approximately 3 minutes but the strong odor was still present. We performed the fire; smoke and fumes checklist. Starting the descent procedure the CA talked to the flight attendants that told us the same occurred in the cabin as we experienced in the flight deck with the smoke quickly dissipating. We identify the smoke was being caused by abnormal indications; high vibrations from the number 1 engine. The CA and I made the decision to run the engine failure or shutdown checklist. We shut down the number one engine following the completion of the smoke; fire and fumes checklists. We landed on the runway and as we were rolling out Fire and Rescue team reported no fire or smoke from our engines or aircraft. We stopped on the runway so Fire and Rescue team can get a closer look at the number one engine. They gave us the all clear" to taxi to the gate to let the passengers deplane at the gate for further investigation. Unfortunately when we tried to move under our own power the aircraft did not move and we identified we may have a locked up brake; maintenance team and tow came to tow us to the gate. Once to the gate fire and rescue boarded the aircraft and assisted in the deplaning process. They offered passengers and crew the opportunity to be looked at by fire and rescue team. No injuries were reported to our knowledge. Once at the gate the maintenance team discovered a piece in between the fan blades has come off and damaged the fan blades as well as the outside of the core of the engine."
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.