Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 210; Flight Crew Type 1988
Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft
We leveled off at our initial cruise altitude of FL280.  While considering a subsequent climb; we noticed an uncommanded yawing motion.  We scanned our instruments; and quickly observed we had indeed lost power to the #2 engine. Seconds later; the flight attendants called and relayed they heard two loud bangs out of the engine on the right side; and the aft part of the airplane had fishtailed simultaneously. The First Officer was flying; so I told him to keep flying the airplane.  It appeared the jet was flying fine with no degradation of airspeed initially.  Nevertheless; I quickly ascertained our engine out altitude and airspeed using the FMC and passed that info [to] the First Officer.  ATC gave us a descent clearance at our discretion.  Once the First Officer had us headed in the right direction; I went to the QRH for Engine Failure.  (Note:  In the heat of battle; I never referenced the QRC or QRH for the Driftdown Checklist.  It appeared our relatively low altitude when losing the engine helped us easily maintain altitude throughout the initial discussion of our issue. We got quick clearance to begin a descent; and the airplane handled well.  Looking back at the QRC after the fact; we did manage to accomplish all the steps with our actions.)In accordance with the guidance given after completing the Engine Failure QRH; we decided to attempt a restart. I started the APU and simultaneously started the Engine Start-Inflight Checklist. We successfully restarted the engine and decided to divert to [a nearby alternate].  ATC coordinated our diversion and passed us off to Approach.  (Just a note here about Dispatch communications; I sent several messages but none went answered. We later learned from [a manager] that Dispatch had momentarily lost their ability to communicate or received messages.  The First Officer made a great suggestion to simply have ATC relay our intentions to Dispatch; and they concurred.)  I made all appropriate briefs to the flight attendants (TEST) and passengers.  The descent and landing were uneventful. Because we were successful in restarting the engine; we chose to do a normal Flaps 30 landing with Max braking.  We were definitely cognizant of the fact we could lose the engine again and prepared accordingly.  After having the airplane checked; we taxied to the gate and were met by local station ops personnel.
[Report narrative contained no additional information]
B737NG flight crew reported diverting to an alternate airport after experiencing loss of thrust on the #2 engine.  The engine was successfully restarted during the QRH procedure.