A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 24500
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown
Aircraft
After departing the Airport and climbing through 16;300 feet; we heard a loud bang associated with a compressor stall; immediately followed by an engine number 2 failure. The aircraft yawed to the right. I disconnected the autopilot; descended to 16;000 feet; and reconnected the autopilot after trimming the rudder. MCT (Max Continuous Thrust) was selected on the number 1 engine. I directed the First Officer to advise ATC of the engine failure; that we are leveling off at 16;000 feet; [exercising our PIC authority]; and requested a return to the Airport.We completed the ECAM and QRH procedures and re-established various system capabilities. The Flight Attendants were briefed (we expected a normal landing with no evacuation believed necessary); and made a public announcement to the passengers of our returning to the Airport. Utilizing the EFB; the First Officer calculated the Non-Normal Landing Distance. The result indicated that a safe landing could be made on either the Airport Runway XXR; or XXL. We were aware that [both] ILS were Out of Service. Desiring glide-path guidance to the runway; we requested the RNAV (GPS) Runway XXR. After briefing the approach; we advised ATC of our readiness to land. The Emergency Landing Checklist was completed. We were vectored to the final approach and executed an uneventful landing. The aircraft was capable of taxiing to the gate without assistance.
A321 Captain reported that during climb one of the engines failed.