Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 66; Flight Crew Total 3055; Flight Crew Type 1020
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
When checking on with Departure after a normal takeoff and climb; ATC informed us that ground personnel reported sparks exiting from our right-hand (Number 2) engine during takeoff. We observed no abnormalities of any kind to indicate a problem (vibration; noise; engine parameter readings; power output; etc.). After a short discussion; we elected to return to ZZZ as a precaution and received vectors for ILS Runway 31R. We continued to monitor engine indications closely; but at no time observed anything abnormal. ATC asked us numerous times if we required assistance or would like to request priority handling; which we declined as there seemed to be no cause for alarm or need for priority handling. A short time later ATC advised us that ZZZ Tower was treating us as a priority aircraft anyway. The remainder of the approach and landing was uneventful. Emergency vehicles escorted us back to the FBO ramp; but did not observe any signs of engine trouble. Shutdown was normal; and a post-flight inspection of visible engine areas revealed no abnormality. A subsequent borescope inspection by Maintenance Personnel revealed 3 missing blades on the Number 2 engine high-pressure compressor and general damage to the entire compressor due to those blades separating during engine operation. I later learned that this is a known issue for this engine.
C525 Captain reported and return to departure airport after ground observers reported sparks coming from the Number 2 engine tailpipe on takeoff.