MD-11
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
Step climbing after departure from ZZZ. Commenced climb from FL230 to FL330. Passing FL250; in climb power; approximately 20 minutes after takeoff; noted 'confirm engine out' MCDU scratchpad message. Scanned instruments and noted all throttles physically matched in climb power position; all throttle carets on climb power position on N1 display; but number 2 engine indications for N1; EGT; and N2 were well below normal. Auto throttles were on; no other engine indications were abnormal; all systems were verified in auto (especially fuel system); fuel pumps showed normal; and no other messages were displayed. Asked ATC to level off FL260. Moved number 2 throttle and received no response. RPM continued to decay and finally received level 2 alert for ENG 2 RPM LO. Followed QRH. Engine 2 did not restart. Followed QRH and shut down engine. Autopilot disconnected and we got 300 feet high while stabilizing aircraft and changing to autopilot 2. ZZZ was nearest suitable airfield; requested a return to ZZZ. Attempted engine restart--no success. No fuel dump needed; messaged [dispatch] regarding situation and intentions; returned to runway 22L CAT 1 engine out autoland. Total engine windmill time approximately 40 minutes. Had fire services inspect number 2 engine. They requested number 3 engine be shut down for inspection; and noted fluid leaking from number two engine. Decided tow in was safest course of action with fire services following us to parking. Because of location of fluid; decided not to start APU; left number 1 engine running; coordinated with duty officer on this plan and he contacted ZZZ ops on our behalf for tow in.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
MD-11 flight crew reported the number two engine failed in climb; resulting in a return to the departure airport.