A Flight Attendant advised the Captain of a loud explosion shortly after takeoff and was advised an engine had failed. The flight returned safely to the departure airport after declaring an emergency.

Narrative

On wheels up or shortly thereafter; there was a loud explosion. I called the Captain. He explained that we had lost an engine and were coming around to land back at the airport. He asked if there was any smoke or fire in the cabin. There was none. He said we would probably not have to evacuate but to be prepared. We landed safely approximately seven minutes later. Rescue vehicles were there to ensure it was safe to taxi to the gate. We taxied in and passengers deplaned. Maintenance showed us pieces of metal engine parts that were scattered all over the runway. Apparently they had collected seven buckets full. We were later told that the turbine had exploded. As disturbing as this was; I was really taken aback when a fellow flight attendant had an engine explode in flight on another MD80 only five days later! In my twenty one years of flying; I have never experienced so many mechanical problems as I have this year. I am hoping these incidents will be looked into to ensure that these planes are safe to operate.