Engine Failure on Take-off – Boeing 737-838(WL) at Sydney Airport, New South Wales, Australia – November 8, 2024

Date:

November 8, 2024

Time:

14:30

Type of Aircraft:

Boeing 737-838(WL)

Owner/Operator:

Qantas

Registration:

VH-VYH

MSN:

34180/1815

Year of Manufacture:

2005

Engine Model:

CFMI CFM56-7B

Aircraft Damage:

Minor

Location:

Sydney-Kingsford Smith International Airport, NSW (SYD/YSSY) – Australia

Phase:

Take-off

Nature:

Passenger – Scheduled

Departure Airport:

Sydney-Kingsford Smith International Airport, NSW (SYD/YSSY)

Destination Airport:

Brisbane International Airport, QLD (BNE/YBBN)

Circumstances:

Qantas flight QF520, a Boeing 737-800, experienced an engine failure during take-off from runway 34R at Sydney Airport. The incident occurred at approximately 14:30 local time, shortly after the aircraft became airborne.

Passengers on board reported hearing a loud bang, which was later attributed to a contained engine failure on the right-hand side of the aircraft. The failure caused debris to be ejected from the engine, igniting a grass fire next to the runway.

The flight crew responded to the emergency by shutting down the affected engine and performing the necessary procedures for a single-engine return to the airport. The aircraft circled the area while the crew prepared for landing, and it safely returned to Sydney Airport at around 14:40.

Emergency services responded to the grass fire, which was quickly extinguished. There were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew.

While the incident caused significant disruption to airport operations, with flight delays and diversions, the successful handling of the emergency by the flight crew highlights the robust safety procedures and training in place for such situations.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will likely conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the engine failure and any contributing factors.