B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 189
Distraction; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related
We were climbing out of FL360 for FL370 when we felt a vibration and a slight yaw to the right. We noticed the Number 2 engine was losing power and the EGT was above the red line. We had no indication of fire overheat. I was the Pilot Flying. I disengaged the autopilot and lowered the nose. The First Officer called ATC and told them we lost an engine; we declared an emergency; got a lower altitude and a clearance back to the departure airport. The TCAS showed multiple aircraft in our vicinity. I turned on the lights for maximum visibility. At this point my primary concern was aircraft control and remaining clear of traffic. We set maximum continuous thrust and got the drift down speed from the Cruise page. Once I was sure we were clear of traffic and the aircraft was stabilized in the descent; we agreed we had a severely damaged engine. We accomplished the boxed items for the Engine Fire/Severe Damage/Separation/ Seizure Checklist. I called for the QRH and we completed the checklist. After the engine was secured and the QRH finished; the First Officer briefed the flight attendants; made an announcement to the passengers; sent an ACARS message to Dispatch; and called the Company for a gate. We followed the QRH guidance for a single engine landing and landed uneventfully. The emergency equipment was in position and followed us to the gate. Station personnel met us at the gate and assisted the passengers with the help of the First Officer and the Flight Attendants. I briefed the Mechanic on duty. Then I called Dispatch; who put me in touch with the Dispatch; Maintenance Control; and the Chief Pilot. I noted an engine failure and overweight landing in the aircraft logbook. We were pulled from duty and given adequate rest before returning to work. The Chief Pilot's Office even called me the next afternoon to make sure I was OK.
The Captain got the airplane turned toward the west; began descending; turned on the landing lights for maximum visibility to other aircraft. Once we assured that there were no conflicts with other traffic; we began a more detailed investigation of the damage to the Number 2 engine. There was no fire warning; no fire bell; no overheat light; but there was still vibration from the engine; with N1 rotation. We both agreed that it was severe damage/seizure in-flight and the Captain called for the memory items for the same. We completed the memory items and continued with the QRH items for the same checklist. The Captain continued to fly the aircraft and I coordinated with ATC for landing back at the departure airport. I then called the Flight Attendants and briefed them on the situation. I made an announcement to the passengers and advised them that due to a mechanical reason; we would be returning for an emergency landing. I coordinated with Dispatch on the emergency via ACARS and called the station on the operations frequency about our return and to ask for a gate.
A B737-700 had an engine fail in flight as indicated by vibration; high EGT and decreasing N1; so an emergency was declared; the QRH completed and the flight returned to the departure airport.