Rotor-burst

[AlexF]

Supposidly, this was the result of a rotor burst (see FAA Prelim data) around 24,000feet. The stuff you see are the vanes behind the fan blade. Not your every day occurance.

[MissedApproach]

Here's a little more info...


NTSB investigating first uncontained engine failure of GE CF34-3B1 on Mesa Airlines CRJ200LR Thursday
By John Croft

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating an uncontained engine failure, the first of its kind, on a GE CF34-3B1-powered Bombardier CRJ200LR.

The incident occurred at 17:30 Thursday evening when Mesa Airlines Air Shuttle 2985 from Denver, Colorado to Phoenix, Arizona shed a fan blade and the forward cowling from its left engine in cruise flight around 50nm (100km) out of Denver international airport, causing the crew to declare an emergency and return to Denver. Mesa Brian Gillman says no evacuation was necessary and the US Federal Aviation Administration reported that there were no injuries among the three crew and 50 passengers.

Engine manufacturer GE has sent three representatives to support the NTSB in its investigation, says a spokesman, who added that there are more than 2,000 of the “extremely reliable” engines in service since 1992. GE says failure is the first of its kind for the turbofan engine. Flight's fleet database ACAS shows that the aircraft, N17337, has not been damaged since it was delivered new to Mesa on 22 September 1999.

Bombardier declined from commenting on the incident, saying it would have to wait until the NTSB concludes its investigation.

[MissedApproach]

Here's a couple more pics: http://www.aerowrench.com/aircraft_images/index.html

The yellow thing hanging down is the kevlar vest that failed to do its job. A little scary considering all three hydraulics run through the tail section.

[Cessnaflyer]

Wow that would be not good if the fan blade went through the lines. Glad all came out safely.

[BobDDuck]

Originally Posted by MissedApproach

The yellow thing hanging down is the kevlar vest that failed to do its job. A little scary considering all three hydraulics run through the tail section.

Actually, I think the kevlar did a damn good job. I don't see any holes in the fuse anywhere.

[MissedApproach]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

Actually, I think the kevlar did a damn good job. I don't see any holes in the fuse anywhere.

Something certainly failed as this is the first ever uncontained CF-34-3B1 failure. Notice that half the engine is not even there, it was lost over colorado somewhere. In the attached picture you can see significant hull damage from the N1 fan.

[CamYZ125]

Good call, I didn't notice that damage till you pointed it out. Sucks for whoever got hit with the rest of the thing...

[dvtpilot]

Now, I don't know a whole lot about that airplane, but it looks to me like a good chunk of the engine pylon is gone? Is that correct? And if that is the case, how much of that thing is needed to hold the engine?

Obviously, theres enough there, but I'm wondering if the part that looks missing is simply for streamlining airflow into the engine a bit?

[BobDDuck]

To get a sense of how much is missing check out this a.net photo of what it is supposed to look like. Notice that the leading edge of the engine comes to about the front edge of the cargo door. Notice in the failed engine it is behind the cargo door.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1093909/L/

[JEP]

here is the actual a/c:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0992197/M/

[dvtpilot]

Wow, I never noticed that stuff either

[JEP]

...

NTSB Identification: DEN07IA055
Scheduled 14 CFR Part 121: Air Carrier operation of MESA AIRLINES INC
Incident occurred Thursday, January 25, 2007 in Denver, CO
Aircraft: Bombardier, Inc. CL-600-2B19, registration: N17337
Injuries: 55 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On January 25, 2007, approximately 1650 mountain standard time, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19, N17337, operating as America West Express Flight 2985, sustained an uncontained failure and components separation of the number 1 engine. The airplane was approximately 70 miles west-southwest of Denver, Colorado, climbing through 24,000 feet when the event occurred. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The scheduled domestic passenger flight from Denver to Phoenix, Arizona was being operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121. The captain, first officer, flight attendant, extra crewmember, and 50 passengers on board were not injured. The flight departed Denver at 1629.

The flight crew reported they were climbing through approximately 24,000 feet mean sea level (msl) when they heard a loud pop and experienced a vibration or buffet. The airplane began to slow. The crew was unable to maintain altitude and initiated a controlled descent. The flight crew observed a "low oil pressure" indication for the number 1 engine along with a maximum indication on the N1.The crew reduced thrust to idle power and the flight returned to Denver, landing without further incident.

Preliminary examination of the number 1 engine revealed that the inlet, fan rotor assembly, the fan containment case, and the thrust reverser were all missing. Examination of the airplane revealed impact damage to the fuselage, in-line with the plane of rotation of the number 1 engine fan rotor as well as impact marks on the vertical, and horizontal stabilizers.

[Cessnaflyer]

So what would cause a maximum indication of the N1 reading when the fan section isn't there anymore?

[SteveC]

Probably the way that the sensor and circuitry is designed. Off the scale (high) reading indicates sensor failure of some sort, and would be noticeable before engine start. Just a guess.

[H46Bubba]

The containment case worked almost as advertised. If it hadn't the blades would have pierced the fuselage upon disentigration. Things would have definitly ended up a little different. I'm surprised the engine still ran. Shouldn't there have been a shut down?

[OldTownPilot]

Originally Posted by MissedApproach

Notice that half the engine is not even there, it was lost over colorado somewhere.

There are only TWO pieces of the engine missing, The outer (bypass) cowling and the N1 fan.

There is nearly 2 feet from the LE of the cowling to the N1 fan, That maybe why it looks like more is missing.

A little engineer talk here: There is one stage (fan and stators) on the engine that acts on the bypass air. The thing in the front is the N1 stator (vane) assembly. Inside the bare metal shroud is "guts" of the engine, and is perfectly capable of running on its own, albeit at vastly reduced efficiency, due to no bypass air, and slightly less compression.

The entire pylon is still there.