B777-200
Flight Crew Total 20000
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
First Officer was flying. The weather was clear with good visibility and west departures and landings. Climbing out on the SID past FL220 and just after First Officer engage the autopilot; the left engine failed without hesitation. After taking a few seconds to analyze the situation; the First Officer and myself immediately went into action and coordinated our efforts in accomplishing the tasks at hand. I started the engine failure checklist; and proceeded into the abnormal; emergency landing and normal checklists. Meanwhile the First Officer declared the emergency and communicated with ATC; while maintaining control of the aircraft and navigated back to the departure airport. As a precaution; the emergency ground equipment was request. I set up the approach; as previously briefed prior to departure; and proceeded to brief the single engine approach and possible single engine miss approach. The aircraft was under maximum landing weight. Early in the above process; the #1 Flight Attendant was advised of the situation and instructed to prepare for an emergency landing and given the pertinent information. Passengers were also advised and continued to be informed well beyond our landing. The First Officer did a very good job on the approach and configuring the aircraft. At about 500 FT AGL he disconnected the autopilot; followed by a very smooth landing. We exited the runway at which point we stopped and ask the airport emergency crew to do a visual inspection as to the condition of the aircraft before taxing back to the terminal. ATC and all other agencies were very helpful in facilitating what we requested. Our total time from takeoff; to the moment of the event and finally touch down was 37 minutes.If there is a recommendation; I would suggest that during training a little more time should be spent in the mechanics of identifying the correct checklists and in demonstrating the flow process from one checklist to another; in particular emergency situations. Although I was able to find and execute all pertinent checklists; I feel some time and superfluous effort was spent in doing so.
[Narrative #2 contained no additional information.]
A B777 engine failed at FL220 after departure so an emergency was declared; the QRH completed and flight returned to the departure airport.