Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
I was the Pilot Flying and during climbout passing 8;500 feet I heard a loud bang then a strong vibration through the fuselage. I looked at the engine gauges and observed a high ITT above 900 C on the left engine. I retarded the left engine and called for engine inflight [shutdown] checklist. We leveled off at 10;000 feet and informed ATC; which was Center; and informed them of the situation and declared an emergency. As the First Officer ran the checklist we were vectored back towards the airport. I informed the Flight Attendant of the engine failure and of the return back to our departure airport and then sent a message via to the Dispatcher. I also made a brief PA to the passengers of an engine situation and that we were returning to the airport.  Between threat and running of checklists; there were about 5 minutes to landing so all else went uneventfully.While completing checklist left engine was shutdown. Aircraft landing and taxi to gate was uneventful. While at the gate fire rescue checked engine and declared that there was no fire threat.  Training goes through an engine failure and we followed procedures as trained. Passengers and Flight Attendant were in the loop; so everything went as it should.
The training we receive in this area enabled us to perform our required tasks in a scripted fluid manner.
Upon experiencing a 'violent' shudder from the aircraft and noting an over-temperature in the left engine the flight crew of a CRJ-200 secured the engine; declared an emergency; and returned uneventfully to their takeoff airport.