A320 flight crew starts engine number two during push back then starts engine number one. When generator number one comes on the line engine number two shuts down with the ECAM indicating ENG 2 FAILURE. Crew returns to the gate.
Synopsis
A320 flight crew starts engine number two during push back then starts engine number one. When generator number one comes on the line engine number two shuts down with the ECAM indicating ENG 2 FAILURE. Crew returns to the gate.
Narrative
During pushback/engine start number 2 engine started normally. Around the same time that the number 1 generator power came online we received an ECAM ENG 2 FAILURE. I noted that engine 2 N2 was dropping through 25%; so we did ECAM; called Company and Maintenance and returned to the gate. I was recently made aware of an industry incident causing electrical power failure of all the flight instruments due to power transfer failure from the number 2 engine. I wanted to verify that number 2 generator would transfer; so I elected to use the supplemental normal for starting number 2 then number 1 generator prior to taxi. I do not see any connection between starting number 2 generator first then number 1 and an engine 2 failure. I do not know why the engine shutdown. I recognize the importance of SOP's and Supplemental Normals and following the procedures. Starting engine number 2 first may not have been the best thing to do; but I do not see how it can cause an uncommanded engine 2 shutdown. I will not use this supplemental/normal again unless absolutely necessary for an external start.
Second reporter narrative
Captain said another aircraft experienced total EFIS NAV SYS DISPLAY FAILURE when electrical relays failed to pickup a load when another system failed. He wanted to make sure our relays worked. As described in Supplemental Normals with the engine starting sequence (starting number 2 first; then number 1) was accomplished. Engine 2 started without incident. Engine 1 started without incident; however it appeared that when IDG number 1 connected to the system; FADAC was not happy and performed an AUTO SHUT DOWN on Engine number 2; ECAM was annunciated ENG FAIL RIGHT and the N1/N2 began to spool down. The engine was shutting down. ECAM Action included moving Engine Master 2 to the off position. We were only a few feet from the gate and coordinated with Operations; Ramp; and Maintenance on bringing the plane back to the gate.I'm not sure what the bus logic is here; but it's clear that something failed and that the FADAC sent a shutdown signal to the engine. It should not matter which engine is started first; engine 2 failed after adding engine 1 on line. Check all Airbus to see if this is a common problem. In the 'old days' we alternated engine starting sequence to check the relays. Maybe we should do this on the first flight of the day since we have to start both engines after push for a 5 minute warm up anyway.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.