MD-11
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 4000; Flight Crew Type 175
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
On a heavy weight departure; the crew experienced multiple loud bangs and the aircraft shuddered. It happened shortly after passing 500 ft; and commencing our first turn on the DP (Departure Procedure). All instruments looked normal; so we assumed that we had some kind of structural damage. The configuration of slats extend; flaps 10; and gear up was maintained. The crew elected to air turn back. A fuel jettison was required; and departure clear us to hold at 11;000 ft. Once there with the jettison commenced; we cleaned up all required checklists; and coordinated with the dispatcher and maintenance for the return. Also spoke to the duty manager; and he concurred with our plan. An ILS approach was setup for; and briefed. After the jettisoning 12;000 lbs of fuel; we requested vectors to the ILS. A normal approach was flown to a normal max landing weight landing. No CFR was request after landing. Normal taxi to ramp; and normal shutdown. The mechanic did a full exterior inspection; and found no damage. The crew prepared for another departure while he was doing his inspection. Another 12;000 lbs was uploaded. The aircraft logbook was cleaned up; and we were cleared to proceed again. After being cleared to proceed from our last air turn back; we accomplished a normal pushback; startup; taxi; and heavy weight takeoff. Again commencing the first turn on the DP at approximately 500 ft; we experienced the same loud bangs and shudder; but more pronounced. This time number three engine indicated multiple severe compressor stalls. The PF (First Officer) pulled back number three throttle; and pushed the power up on number one and two throttles. A brief fuel jettison was accomplished on the climb out. The engine recovered from the compressor stalls; and power on number three throttle was slowly increased. We decided to accomplish another air turn back. For the remainder of the fuel jettison; we were again cleared to hold at 11;000 ft. Once established in holding and the fuel jettison commenced; we again cleaned up checklists and coordinated with the dispatcher; duty manager; and maintenance. Setup for and briefed the ILS. After the jettisoning of 12;000 lbs; we accepted vectors to the ILS. Normal approach; max landing weight landing; and taxi. No CFR (Crash Fire Rescue) was requested. Turned plane over to maintenance; and went into crew rest.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Two MD11 first officers reported compressor stalls on the number three engine during the first turn on the departure at 500 feet AGL. After dumping 120;000 pounds of fuel the flight returns to the departure airport. The engine was inspected with no anomalies noted. The aircraft was refueled and departed with the same result.