In contrast, I once experienced a benign engine failure on a B-767 at cruise altitude. Rather than pieces shaking loose, the engine just quit as a result of a sensor erroneously detecting lack of fuel pressure. Other than the fact we had to operate on the one remaining engine, a scenario we practiced on every recurrent training session, the entire situation was a non-event — unless I consider the interruption of consuming my breakfast omelet a catastrophe.
On another occasion, just prior to takeoff at a relatively low speed, I did experience a catastrophic failure when a bearing inside one of the three engines of a B-727 decided to separate and mangle most of the spinning turbine blades as it exited the back of the engine. We aborted the takeoff when we realized the airplane wasn’t accelerating at a normal rate.
But what was happening in the cockpit of United 328? Judging by the external condition of the engine, and the fact that at least one fan blade appears to be missing, the airplane was most likely subjected to a pronounced jolt — one that the crew and passengers felt. Once the cowling completely separated from the engine, the normal aerodynamic flow became disrupted, causing the airplane to buffet.
Engine instrumentation on one of the cockpit screens would have indicated a rapid decrease in RPM parameters. Remember, the cockpit is too far forward for the crew to see the engines visually, so they would have only known about the actual condition through flight attendant reports.
An engine fail alert would have illuminated on the display. After a brief moment to recognize the problem, if the captain wasn’t already flying, he would have simply stated, “I’ve got the airplane,” and then called for the engine fire/severe damage checklist, which is selected electronically and displayed on another cockpit screen.
The copilot would read the checklist and complete the items indicated. The items include shutting down electrical systems generated from the engine, hydraulic valves, and bleed air systems from the engine. While the checklist is in progress, either the captain or the copilot would have declared a “Mayday” with air traffic control.
The resulting fire seen on the engine in the video may have triggered the electronic bell in the cockpit, assuming the heat activated the fire loop sensor. The B-777 has the capability to dispense two fire retardant bottles, one at a time, into the engine. That being said, the airflow around the engine is the best source to extinguish an engine fire, or at least contain it from spreading.
With the emergency checklists mostly complete, the normal descent and landing checklists begin. Once advised by a pilot as to the circumstances, the flight attendants begin their own checklist to prepare the cabin for a potential ground evacuation involving slide deployment, which fortunately didn’t occur. When there is a break in the action, usually the captain will make a PA announcement to the passengers.
Although the airframe buffeting may have been disconcerting and uncharacteristic of normal flight control inputs, this is an event that airline pilots continuously practice in the simulator. Judging by the outcome, both the cockpit crew and the cabin crew deserve the round of applause that they received.
2021-02-21 22:36:24
