“Shaking Like Washing Machine” After Engine Blade Fracture Causes Scares & Emergency Landing

by Adam

An AirAsia X flight from Perth to Kuala Lumpur experienced a blade fracture, with one engine ingesting the broken pieces and causing severe damage and vibrations according to The Aviation Herald. That engine was shut down while the plane drifted 2 hours back to Perth, making a safe and successful landing. Passengers were startled by the vibrations and shakes.

Passengers reported a large bang was heard followed by severe vibrations and sounds like a spinning washing machine. They were instructed to brace for landing.

ABC News reported on the passenger reactions:

“I could tell by the cabin crew’s reaction that it was really bad,” passenger Sophie Nicolas told ABC News. The plane landed safely at 10:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on Sunday. “I was crying a lot, a lot of people were crying, trying to call their mums and stuff but we couldn’t really do anything just wait and trust the captain,” Ms Nicolas told ABC, adding: “Everybody burst into applause when we landed.”

One passenger captured video of the event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvAl33YoDus

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8 comments

UnitedEF June 25, 2017 - 10:52 am

If it ain’t Boeing I ain’t going come to mind.

Reply
AW June 25, 2017 - 11:00 pm

That’s funny. AirAsia X’s A330s are fitted with RR engines. RR also supplies engines for the 787 and 772.

Maybe you could fly Tupolev.

Reply
Pilot Asks Passengers to Pray During Flight After Mechanical Issue Arises - Points Miles & Martinis June 25, 2017 - 7:36 pm

[…] Hat Tip: Point Me To The Plane […]

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sag June 27, 2017 - 6:15 pm

Idiot pilot should have shut the engine down immediately.

Reply
Stuart July 4, 2017 - 10:44 am

My guess is that he did shut it down, however the force of the air (because the plane was still flying) caused the engine to windmill.

And, now being grossly out of balance, this caused the violent shaking.

Reply
Joe July 16, 2017 - 7:53 am

I agree. The frequency of the vibration (10 Hz or so ??) suggests the engine was freewheeling.

Reply
Stuart July 4, 2017 - 11:53 am

My guess is that he did shut it down, however the force of the air (because the plane was still flying) caused the engine to ‘windmill’ i.e. turn by itself.

And, now being grossly out of balance, this caused the violent shaking.

Reply
Karl July 30, 2017 - 2:46 pm

Or, there are just idiot comments from people who have absolutely no clue what they are talking about and not idiot pilots that is the problem.

Reply

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