Narrative:

During initial climb; at approximately 400 ft MSL; we experienced vibration from the right side of the aircraft with a slight yaw right. No warning or master caution lights were observed. Engine instruments appeared normal but the vibration was evident. We declared an emergency and requested radar vectors back to the airport while assessing the situation. As flaps were retracted the vibration diminished. Engine instruments were again observed and confirmed that the number 2 engine was not developing normal power. I called for the engine failure and shut down checklist and complied with ATC instructions. When the thrust lever to the right engine was closed; the engine vibration came back until the engine start lever was closed shutting down the engine. Once the engine failure and shutdown checklist was completed; we continued with the one engine inoperative landing checklist; contacted dispatch to relay pertinent information and requested it be relayed to our maintenance crew. When these tasks were complete we advised ATC that we were ready for approach and confirmed that emergency crews were standing by. Approach and landing was uneventful. We then requested that fire crews do a visual inspection of the engine prior to taxiing to the gate.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: When a B737 flight crew experienced engine vibration and loss of power shortly after takeoff they performed an inflight shutdown; declared an emergency; and returned to their departure airport.

Narrative: During initial climb; at approximately 400 FT MSL; we experienced vibration from the right side of the aircraft with a slight yaw right. No warning or master caution lights were observed. Engine instruments appeared normal but the vibration was evident. We declared an emergency and requested radar vectors back to the airport while assessing the situation. As flaps were retracted the vibration diminished. Engine instruments were again observed and confirmed that the number 2 engine was not developing normal power. I called for the engine failure and shut down checklist and complied with ATC instructions. When the thrust lever to the right engine was closed; the engine vibration came back until the engine start lever was closed shutting down the engine. Once the engine failure and shutdown checklist was completed; we continued with the one engine inoperative landing checklist; contacted Dispatch to relay pertinent information and requested it be relayed to our maintenance crew. When these tasks were complete we advised ATC that we were ready for approach and confirmed that emergency crews were standing by. Approach and landing was uneventful. We then requested that fire crews do a visual inspection of the engine prior to taxiing to the gate.

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.