MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
We were at cruise flight at FL330. Approx. 30 minutes into cruise flight; in smooth air; we experienced a relatively intense shudder in the aircraft. During this shudder; an audible bang could be heard; although it wasn't very loud in the cockpit. The captain and I both immediately noticed that the N1 and N2 indications for the #2 engine were both rolling back; and the EGT was immediately maxed out. We both agreed that we had lost the right engine; and with the shudder; bang; and high EGT; we suspected engine damage. We [notified ATC] and started a descent. The flight attendants immediately started chiming; and I asked them to standby; as we were trying to deal with the situation.After we started the descent; I began going through the QRH. Upon completion of the checklist; I contacted dispatch and informed them that we were diverting which had already been coordinated with ATC. Our dispatcher was very helpful. He did a great job coordinating with and our station operations. He also gave us the weather.After returning from speaking with dispatch I called back to the flight attendants. It had probably been ten minutes at this point since I had asked them to standby and I commended them for their professionalism. They had obviously been calling up to tell us about the odd engine noise and vibration they heard and after they were asked to standby; they immediately went into action preparing the cabin for landing. By the time I called back to them they were already seated and ready to land.I informed them that we had an engine failure; were diverting and would be on the ground in 15 minutes; and that we didn't anticipate needing to evacuate. Next I briefed the passengers; and informed them that we had an issue with one of our engines; and gave them the same info regarding the landing airport and time remaining. We completed the single engine approach to landing checklist; and the single engine landing checklist.The Captain made a beautiful landing; and the rollout and taxi to the gate were uneventful. Emergency services were standing by on the ramp when we landed and they followed us to our parking spot. I want to compliment Captain on the job he did handling this emergency. He was calm and composed throughout; and did a great job getting the plane safely on the ground.As a line pilot; I don't want to assume that I know our maintenance practices; however; it seems that we push the engines on our fleet past the point that they should be run. Our operations program allows us to operate engines at a higher temperature simply because they can't operate under normal takeoff power settings without exceeding temperature limitations. This seems to be causing our engines to fail more often.
Flight crew experienced an engine failure during cruise. They diverted to a nearby suitable field followed by a normal landing.