A300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Workload; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Weather
On departure; we were climbing thru FL 320; when we felt a vibration in the aircraft. We continued to filed altitude of FL340. As the power was reduced at level off the vibrations abated some; but soon became more intense. They were cyclic in nature; and increasing in intensity. They are best described as the type of vibrations heard when the N1 rpms are not in sync; but these were more intense and could be felt in the airframe. The N1s were within .1; and the engine vibration monitor showed N1s at .8; the N2s at .6 throughout. We observed no flight control anomalies or airframe buffet. The vibrations directly increased with power increase; and decreased with power reduction. We decided to slow from .78M to .75 and descend back to 320. The vibrations decreased; but as we leveled at 320 and the power came up to hold airspeed; the vibrations returned; and over the next few minutes continued to increase in intensity. At that point we decided to divert. We set up a slow speed (250) descent; and the vibration was minimal until power was required to configure for approach; when they returned. Approach and landing were uneventful. Thanks for great support from ATC and the fire crews. The First Officer also did a great job in coordinating the divert and support throughout the event. (We had deiced prior to departure; and considered whether ice had formed in the engine. However; we had used engine anti ice throughout the departure; were in the clear by 5;000 feet; and had no vibrations at all at climb power settings until FL320.)
An A300 Captain reported diverting because of an engine vibration which increased with increased thrust. The aircraft had been deiced prior to departure but was in VMC during cruise.