Forced/precautionary landing involving a Saab SF-340B, VH-CMH, Sydney, New South Wales, on 27 June 1997

The SAAB 340 departed normally from runway 16R, but shortly after becoming airborne the crew requested a return to land. When asked if operations were normal the crew reported the aircraft had suffered an engine failure. ATC activated the crash alarm and closed the airport. The crew were offered a circuit to either runway 07 or 34L/R but elected to continue for a right circuit to runway 16R.

The aircraft was flown on a visual low-level circuit to a safe landing. Preliminary investigation revealed major damage to the power turbine section of the left engine. The engine was subsequently returned to the manufacturer's engine overhaul facility for examination. Their engineering report revealed that the stage two turbine forward cooling plate had separated at the outer rim.

The report noted that the failure was consistent with other cooling plate separation events. The manufacturer had previously issued a service bulletin which introduces improvements to the cooling plate to preclude this type of failure. The operator had a program to incorporate this modification during planned hot section module changes. Incorporation of the modification to the failed engine was planned for the week following the incident.