In-flight engine failure - Christmas Island, on 19 October 2009

On 19 October 2009, a British Aerospace Avro-RJ70 aircraft sustained an in-flight engine failure shortly after taking off from Christmas Island.

The investigation found that the number 2 engine failed due to severe overheating damage to the high-pressure turbine section components. The overheating was most likely related to a defective fuel injector nozzle that exposed the turbine nozzle guide vanes and blades to a sustained over-temperature condition and cumulative thermal damage. Although the engine's operating performance and condition was being monitored as part of the operator's Engine Condition and Trend Monitoring (ECTM) program, no significant indications of the impending failure were detected in the lead up to the failure.

The flight crew reported that while responding to the engine failure they were unable to extend the fire lever in order to operate the engine's fire suppression system. The operator subsequently inspected the system, but could not duplicate the problem.
The ATSB did not identify any safety issues as a result of its investigation that required safety action to be taken.