Fedex MD10 at Portland on Feb 13th 2012, rejected takeoff due to uncontained engine failure

Last Update: September 21, 2013 / 18:36:54 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Feb 13, 2012

Classification
Report

Cause
Rejected takeoff

Airline
Fedex

Flight number
FX-977

Departure
Portland, United States

Destination
Oakland, United States

Aircraft Registration
N304FE

Aircraft Type
McDonnell Douglas MD-10-30

ICAO Type Designator
MD10

A Fedex Federal Express McDonnell Douglas MD-10-30, registration N304FE performing flight FX-977 from Portland,OR to Oakland,CA (USA), was accelerating for takeoff from Portland when at about 60 knots the left hand engine (CF6) stalled associated with high vibration and high exhaust gas temperatures. The crew rejected takeoff and pulled the fire handle for the left hand engine, but did not discharge fire agent. The aircraft slowed safely and returned to the apron.

An inspection revealed no damage/penetration to the engine cowling and no damage to the airframe.

On May 22nd 2013 the NTSB released their factual report stating, that when during examination the fan of the left hand engine was manually rotated, the low pressure turbine did not rotate with it, the low pressure turbine could not be moved for being seized. Further inspection revealed penetration holes and tears in the low pressure turbine case and another hole was found in the turbine rear frame.

Disassembly of the engine revealed that the fan mid shaft had fractured, the center vent tube and high pressure compressor air duct were also fractured. All low pressure turbine blades showed tip fractures. All engine main line bearings were intact except for bearing #7 which was found seized despite being wet with oil. The NTSB stated: "Five of the No. 7 bearing roller elements were missing and all the remaining roller elements were heat discolored black and most were flattened. The No. 7 bearing cage was damaged and heat discolored but was intact. The inner race aft edge was damaged and material was rolled."

Debris found inside the engine were identified ester based engine oil residue typically found in turbine engines. The engine manufacturer concluded, "that the stress corrosion cracking observed on the fan mid shaft was caused primarily due to the breakdown of a synthetic oil product inside the FMS during both storage and engine operation".

The NTSB reported: "The LPT stage 2 and 3 interstage seals installed in the engine were the new configuration that were recommended by Safety Board Recommendation A-98-125, introduced by GE SB CF6-50 72-1268, and mandated by Airworthiness Directive AD 2005-26-06 to address safety concerns that when a FMS separation occurs it leads to a LPT stage 1 disk overspeed and uncontained failure."

On Sep 21st 2013 the NTSB released their final report concluding the probable cause of the incident was:

The fracture of the fan mid shaft due to a stress corrosion cracking initiated by local regions of corrosion pitting, which resulted from oil migration within the shaft and its subsequent degradation.
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
N304FE
Country of Registration
United States
Date of Registration
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Manufacturer
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS
Aircraft Model / Type
MD-10-30F
Number of Seats
Jcd Subscribe to unlock
ICAO Aircraft Type
MD10
Year of Manufacture
FAqm Subscribe to unlock
Serial Number
Ilgeh Subscribe to unlock
Aircraft Address / Mode S Code (HEX)
Adghik Subscribe to unlock
Engine Count
Subscribe to unlock
Engine Manufacturer
Gj Subscribe to unlock
Engine Model
ecmnAnn Subscribe to unlock
Engine Type
L iigebij Subscribe to unlock
Pounds of Thrust
DAqbn Subscribe to unlock
Main Owner
PfmccjqAhkeeA kjplpqcjeh gn kpfhmcphpcpqln njAffl cjdhcgA cAmenjhb gkmmblidj nkfmnbnqfbkbelkllmiAcjmfAAhlmkj AnmmbAf Subscribe to unlock
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Feb 13, 2012

Classification
Report

Cause
Rejected takeoff

Airline
Fedex

Flight number
FX-977

Departure
Portland, United States

Destination
Oakland, United States

Aircraft Registration
N304FE

Aircraft Type
McDonnell Douglas MD-10-30

ICAO Type Designator
MD10

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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