Description

On 13 September, an Airbus A320-200 being operated by Canadian airline Skyservice on a domestic passenger charter flight from Toronto to Edmonton was departing in day Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) when, after a “loud bang and shudder” during rotation, evidence of left engine malfunction occurred during initial climb and the flight crew declared an emergency and returned for an immediate overweight landing on the departure runway which necessitated navigation around several pieces of debris, later confirmed as the fan cowlings of the left engine. There were no injuries to the occupants.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Canadian TSB. It was found that prior to release to service for the incident flight, the aircraft had been at the Company maintenance facility overnight for some minor inspection and parts replacement work including the replacement of an oil-scavenge line on the left engine, an IAE V2500. This work was found to have been commenced by the night shift but been completed after handover to the day shift.

Prior to flight departure, the First Officer, who was to be PNF, carried out the pre-departure walk round check and found no discrepancies.