B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 359
Training / Qualification; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Climbing out at approximately 32;000 FT; a very loud bang was heard from the #1 engine.  The #1 engine instruments all displayed engine failure.  We declared an emergency; asked for a descent and vectors back to the departure airport; and made an uneventful visual approach.  The 59 minute flight felt like 10 minutes and we made every effort to cover all the bases.  The event went smoothly after careful and gentle communications with the Passengers and Flight Attendants.  The Flight Attendant did a marvelous job; and as Captain; I am running the event over and over; certainly there are details we could have done better.  All in all; it was gratifying to see our training kick in and support the decisions and actions that had to be made.
We heard a loud bang and immediately noticed that the number one engine readings were abnormal.  Most notably; the EGT gauge was showing an over temperature and a red indication.  We made one attempt to restart the engine using a Crossbleed start descending through 17;000 feet.  This was unsuccessful.  We completed the Engine Failure; One Engine Inoperative Approach and Landing checklists and landed.
A B737-700's number one engine failed in flight at 32;000 FT; an emergency was declared and the flight returned to the departure airport.