A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 15000; Flight Crew Type 225
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft
Cruise altitude 33000 feet just prior to descent the aircraft yawed along with ECAM (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitoring) alerts. The clear indication from engine instruments and ECAM alerts was the number 1 engine had failed. During this failure; we were given a descent by ATC. As the pilot monitoring; I read back the clearance. I assumed control of the aircraft; started the descent and directed the copilot to run the ECAM. During this time; along with following along with the ECAM procedure; I was attempting to find the nearest suitable airport. The ECAM procedure was engine 1 fail. The engine did not relight and he continued with the engine 1 shutdown. During this time; using input from the First Officer; ATC; ACARS weather and weather radar the decision was made to divert to a nearby airport. This was the closest suitable airport. Somewhere in this timeframe; I received a call from the flight attendants in regards to odd noises in the cabin. I informed her we had an engine failure and I would get right back to her. Further coordination with ATC included nature of the emergency; souls on board; fuel remaining and ground emergency equipment. The First Officer finished the ECAM and QRH lists and then coordinated with the flight attendants for a cabin advisory. I made an announcement to the passengers stating the emergency condition and tried to reassure them this was an event we were highly trained to handle. I also provided the time and location of touchdown. It was at this time I sent a 'call me' to dispatch attempting contact. A short time later we received a frequency and the First Officer informed him of the situation; location of divert ensuring no issues; and requested landing data. He then ensured the FMGC was programmed correctly and we briefed for a single engine ILS to Runway 5R. Now with most issues completed; we attempted an engine inflight start. This was unsuccessful and we focused our attention to the approach and landing. We were vectored to final and completed an ILS to Runway 5R in VMC conditions. The approach and landing were uneventful and the aircraft was taxied to the gate and shut down. The passengers were deplaned using air stairs and were taken inside the terminal. There were no injuries or aircraft damage during this event.
An A320 engine failed at cruise prior to descent; so the QRH was completed and the flight diverted to the nearest suitable airport.