A320
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120; Flight Crew Total 15000; Flight Crew Type 2000
Training / Qualification; Workload; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Aircraft
I was the pilot flying. While climbing through 14;000 FT we encountered chop. I advanced the thrust levers to MCT so as to expedite our climb through the chop. When passing through 17;000 FT we got a single chime that drew our attention to the engine gauges. The Number 1 EGT was in the red band. This was accompanied by a fuel flow that was 600 LB/hr higher than the Number 2 fuel flow. I immediately reduced thrust to the climb detent and engaged the autopilot. The EGT stabilized below the red band. The fuel flow remained higher than the other engine. The Captain began coordinating with Dispatch and advising the flight attendants of the situation. I advised ATC of our need to return to [our departure airport]. We landed uneventfully. We came to a complete stop after exiting the runway. We asked the fire trucks to observe the Number 1 Engine for anything out of the ordinary. They stated that nothing seemed abnormal so we proceeded to the gate. During taxi the Number 1 Engine still had higher EGT and fuel flow than Number 2. We deplaned the passengers; spoke to some mechanics; obtained another aircraft; and departed on an uneventful flight.
Further examination of engine parameters after the event showed that Number 1 Engine fuel flow was 6;000 LB/hr and Number 2 engine fuel flow was 5;400 LB/hr; Number 1 Engine EGT was 40 degrees higher than Number 2 Engine EGT and remained 40 degrees higher to include ground taxi.
An A320 encountered turbulence during the climb at 17;000 FT so maximum continuous thrust was set to expedite the climb which caused an EGT overtemp so after reducing thrust the flight returned to the departure airport for a precautionary landing.