Flight Attendant Current
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
I was seated in my jumpseat at L2 door during takeoff when another flight attendant and I heard a loud bang noise. My first thought was that something shifted from under the cargo hold. We stayed in our brace position and airplane continued to climb and the wheels retracted. Soon a passenger call button dinged at row seven on the right side. The Lead Flight Attendant took the passenger call and returned to the forward galley the other flight attendant and I saw that she was on interphone with the Captain. We then heard another passenger call; again on the right side of the aircraft. I rushed over to see what was happening and the passenger pointed at the engine. I looked out and saw that the engine housing was missing and appeared to have been ripped off. I told the passenger the Captain had been made aware of situation; to remain calm and that we would have more information for them as soon as we could. I made sure the passengers in that area were seated with their seat belts on and then returned to the aft galley to inform the third flight attendant what I saw. Since the Lead Flight Attendant was still on interphone with the Captain explaining what she saw; I made a PA announcement to inform the passengers that the Captain was aware and will give us more information as soon as he can and to remain seated with seat belts fastened since people might get curious and try to stand up and look over to the right side of the aircraft. The Lead Flight Attendant then informed us; per the Captain that we are going to return to our departure airport as a precaution. The Captain then made an announcement and we prepared the cabin for landing. A few people were nervous and I comforted them and informed them that everything would be ok and we would land safely in a few minutes. When we landed the Captain announced that emergency vehicles would inspect the jet as a precaution and; after about 20 minutes of being on tarmac; made another announcement that we would be towed to the gate.
Upon arrival I met the airplane at the gate and began my weekly check on the airplane. I first did a walk around of the plane and didn't notice any abnormalities. I then began my exterior servicing procedures. I serviced the engine oils first and then wiped down the struts. I opened up the left engine fan cowls to check the IDG oil level; which did not need service. Another mechanic was working on the engine at the same time so I left the engine fan cowls open and returned later to close them. I proceeded to check the right engine and found the IDG did not need servicing. I then closed the fan cowls and latched them shut. I continued on with my weekly check and finished it routinely. After doing all of my paperwork and write-ups for the aircraft I had asked the other Mechanic verify the latching and closing of the latches for the fan cowls. He then proceeded to do his verification that the fan cowl latches were closed and secured then signed off the verification above my sign off for the closing and verification of both engine fan cowls. ...during the company maintenance meeting call there was a call from Operations telling us that the aircraft was being escorted and towed to the gate and because 'a panel on the right side of the aircraft came off during take off.' I believe that an AD should be issued requiring more frequent inspections of the latching hardware and surrounding hardware for wear on IAE V2500 Engines. Also an AD to check the mounting hardware and surrounding hardware for wear and safe functionality and; also; to check for warped fan cowl doors on IAE V2500 Engines. Photos should be taken to show/prove that the fan cowl doors are latched and secured properly any time they are opened. Also routine engine run ups should be done anytime maintenance requires the opening of fan cowls.
When a A319 shed the left engine cowling during takeoff the flight crew returned to the departure airport for maintenance.