A319
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Beginning the descent into ZZZ at 38;000 ft.; 'open descent' was selected. As the power came back to approaching idle there was a thump; followed by another louder thump. The master caution alerted and an ECAM (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor) displayed showing ENG 2 STALL. As soon as we began to apply the procedure; the ECAM cleared itself. No other abnormal engine indications were noted.
Approaching ZZZ; Center had us at 38;000 ft. and slightly past our top of descent. When cleared lower with the autopilot and auto thrust engaged; I selected 'open descent' to start down. Almost immediately; as the thrust was coming back to idle; I heard a muffled sound that was unusual; and felt a small movement of the aircraft; similar to a jet bridge lightly bumping the airplane. As I was processing in my mind what it was; it happened again; accompanied by a master caution light and an ENG 2 STALL on the ECAM (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor). Right after I saw the ECAM; it went away. Now the engines were stable at idle; and all engine instruments looked normal. Shortly thereafter; we received an ACARS Maintenance message; confirming what we saw. We turned on engine anti-ice for descent though clouds; and discussed what we saw; felt and heard. We continued into ZZZ and discussed considerations in case the engine stalled again; but really thought it was a transient; isolated event. We didn't experience any further abnormalities the rest of the way in; and wrote up the event upon arrival and called Maintenance to inform them. After following up with Maintenance the next day; I learned they had found damage in the high pressure compressor section of the #2 engine.We had no indications; before or after; of any engine issues. I think there was an AML entry a few days earlier concerning the #2 engine; but it seems to me; it was a reverser issue. Since we were kept high; we were in an idle descent until we were on final approach. It was less than 25 minutes from the compressor stall until landing. I'm curious about the damage. Was it a result of the stall or possibly pre-existing which resulted in the compressor stall?I do not think you can prevent events like this from happening 100 percent of the time. These GE engines are normally very reliable; and if the damage occurred prior to or immediately after the stall; I am even more impressed with them. We didn't notice any abnormal indications or vibrations; outside of the two stalls within a few seconds of each other.
A319 flight crew reported engine noise with an 'engine 2 stall' message displayed as the aircraft began its descent.