Virgin Blue 'engine surge' from Launceston - Sydney

[Ryan K]

From the Hobart Mercury website.

http://www.themercury.com.au/article...ania-news.html

[NickN]

From what I have read compressor surges are fairly uncommon in FADEC aircraft. Especially newer FADEC aircraft.

Bar extreme crosswinds or turbulence the other common factors which cause them are engine deterioration or the operation of the engine outside its operational envelope.

Given the fact the departure was probably a flex or derate you would assume it wasn't the latter.

[Nigel C]

From http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news...-1225897503826

A SERIES of bangs heard on a Sydney-bound passenger plane, which forced it to turn back to Launceston, were the result of an engine surge, a report has found.

The Virgin Blue flight, which was carrying 151 people, departed Launceston for Sydney on the morning of August 20, 2009.

But several loud bangs were heard shortly after take off, forcing the Boeing 737 to turn around and land.

Passengers and people on the ground reported seeing flames at the time, but no one was injured in the incident.

A report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released today found the noises were caused by a "compressor surge" within the plane's left engine.

The engine's manufacturer, CFM International, has since issued a safety warning about the engine, while Virgin Blue has changed its maintenance schedule.

The report says the actions of both parties "adequately address the safety issue".