A310
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Passing approximately 3;000 FT after takeoff the crew noticed an unusual noise and high frequency vibration that persisted; ultimately; through shutting down the number one engine (even though engine shutdown did not occur for another 10 minutes). The flight was continued while troubleshooting the source of vibration. The crew initially thought that maybe birds had entered one of the engines. All engine parameters of both engines appeared normal with the exception of number one engine which indicated N1 vibration of 1.4 and N2 vibration of 2.4 while number two engine indicated 0.2 for both parameters. While typing out an ACARS message to Maintenance Control explaining the situation; the crew received an EPR mode fault alert and the ATS lever kicked off. With the Captain as pilot flying; the First Officer performed the ECAM and QRH actions for the alert with the final action being continued flight in manual throttle mode. The flight was leveled at FL230 to conduct checklists and determine a course of action. During this time it was noticed that engine one EGT gauge had become inoperative with the display reading zero. Also; at approximately the same time it was noticed that engine one N1 began an uncommanded climb (well after N1 mode had been selected for the EPR mode fault and the autothrottle system was disengaged). As N1 reached 100% the throttle was reduced to stay within limits. Shortly after; the crew noticed that oil quantity and pressure on engine one bled to zero. The ECAM activated requiring number one engine to be shutdown. At this point the flight was approximately 90 miles northwest of the departure airport at FL230. An emergency was declared and clearance received for a turn back. A descent was initiated and; even though the active runway was 24; the crew requested vectors to the ILS 06 and was cleared direct to the ILS 06 IAF for a straight-in approach. Winds were reported as calm. The flight landed uneventfully and came to a complete stop on the runway. The crew requested emergency services to look at the left wing and engine for any signs of damage before taxiing clear of the runway. With no observed damage the flight was then taxied to the ramp.
[Narative #2 contained no additional information.]
A310 Captain notes a high frequency vibration from the number one engine during initial climb. All indications are normal except for vibration monitor readings which are elevated. While considering a course action the crew received an EPR mode fault alert and the ATS lever kicked off. At about the same time Number 1 EGT fails and N1 RPM begins to increase uncommanded. Thrust is reduced manually and shortly after; the crew noticed that oil quantity and pressure on engine one bled to zero. The engine is shut down and flight returns to the departure airport.