Narrative:

During climb out; cockpit crew heard a loud pop (loud bang as described by passenger) followed by a severe yaw of the aircraft to the left. Cockpit crew observed the left engine spooling down and the egt at approximately 790 degrees. Aircraft was brought under control by captain. Once under control; captain called for first officer to run the engine flameout/ failure/shutdown checklist. Captain leveled the aircraft off; declared an emergency and requested an immediate return to the departure airport. ATC cleared us direct. Deviations were required to avoid weather. The first officer accomplished the engine flameout/failure /shutdown checklist and as severe damaged was suspected the fire handle was pulled. Control of the aircraft was passed to the first officer. As the captain was reaching for the intercom; a flight attendant called forward approximately 2-3 minutes after the initial pop was heard. The captain advised the a flight attendant of the engine failure; that we would be returning to landing in approximately 15-20 minutes and to prepare the cabin. The captain then made a PA informing the passenger that we were experiencing a problem with the aircraft and would be returning to the departure airport. At this time the captain took control of the aircraft and continued the descent. Crew requested landing to runway 9 and was advised by tower that a thunderstorm cell was moving in on about a 5-7 mile final to runway 9. Crew requested vectors for a 10 mile final to runway 27 (still less than a 10 KT tailwind). The single engine approach checklist was accomplished. The flight joined the final for runway 27 at approximately 10 out with the field in VMC conditions. Landing was made overweight (approximately 143;000 pounds) with little vertical descent at touchdown. The captain stopped the aircraft on runway 27; and advised passengers to remain seated with their seatbelts fastened. Crash fire rescue looked over the aircraft and advised the crew of no visible damage; fire or leaking fluids. The captain taxied the aircraft to the gate and the passengers were off loaded without incident. At the time of the engine failure all anti-icing equipment was on and functioning normally. When the aircraft parked at the gate all brake temps were below 200 degrees. During postflight inspection severe damage was found in the aft turbine section of the #1 engine.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A MD80's left engine turbine section failed during climb so an emergency was declared; the checklists completed and the flight returned to the departure airport.

Narrative: During climb out; cockpit crew heard a loud pop (loud bang as described by passenger) followed by a severe yaw of the aircraft to the left. Cockpit crew observed the left engine spooling down and the EGT at approximately 790 degrees. Aircraft was brought under control by Captain. Once under control; Captain called for First Officer to run the Engine Flameout/ Failure/Shutdown checklist. Captain leveled the aircraft off; declared an emergency and requested an immediate return to the departure airport. ATC cleared us direct. Deviations were required to avoid weather. The First Officer accomplished the Engine Flameout/Failure /Shutdown checklist and as severe damaged was suspected the fire handle was pulled. Control of the aircraft was passed to the First Officer. As the Captain was reaching for the intercom; A Flight Attendant called forward approximately 2-3 minutes after the initial pop was heard. The Captain advised the A Flight Attendant of the engine failure; that we would be returning to landing in approximately 15-20 minutes and to prepare the cabin. The Captain then made a PA informing the passenger that we were experiencing a problem with the aircraft and would be returning to the departure airport. At this time the Captain took control of the aircraft and continued the descent. Crew requested landing to Runway 9 and was advised by Tower that a thunderstorm cell was moving in on about a 5-7 mile final to Runway 9. Crew requested vectors for a 10 mile final to Runway 27 (still less than a 10 KT tailwind). The Single Engine Approach Checklist was accomplished. The flight joined the final for Runway 27 at approximately 10 out with the field in VMC conditions. Landing was made overweight (approximately 143;000 LBS) with little vertical descent at touchdown. The Captain stopped the aircraft on Runway 27; and advised passengers to remain seated with their seatbelts fastened. Crash Fire Rescue looked over the aircraft and advised the crew of no visible damage; fire or leaking fluids. The Captain taxied the aircraft to the gate and the passengers were off loaded without incident. At the time of the engine failure all anti-icing equipment was on and functioning normally. When the aircraft parked at the gate all brake temps were below 200 degrees. During postflight inspection severe damage was found in the aft turbine section of the #1 engine.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.