B737 flight crew experiences an engine failure passing FL240 in the climb. The departure airport has...

Narrative:

During our climb; through FL240; we experienced an engine failure. We leveled off; took care of the problem; and declared an emergency. We requested a turn back toward ZZZ1 in the process (thinking long runways; good emergency support; and close field). The center began giving us a descent and vectors. Once we had the initial parts of the emergency checklists and coordination with the cabin crew completed; we asked about the weather in ZZZ1. Hearing the weather was poor (low visibility in fog); we decided ZZZ would be a more suitable divert field and requested a turn toward ZZZ. We were still somewhat high for a stable approach into ZZZ1 at that point; so ZZZ worked out well for getting down. The weather was better in ZZZ allowing for a visual approach; rather than the high probability of a single-engine ILS approach in ZZZ1. We didn't know the forecast trend in ZZZ1 either. As I approached ZZZ; I was finally able to speak to the passengers directly about our intentions. The flight attendants had briefed them prior to that. Unfortunately; our workload was high; completing all the necessary checklists; so answering dispatchs' ACARS message wasn't accomplished.I usually check the weather in ZZZ and ZZZ1 prior to departure; but for some reason today I didn't. That would've made me more prepared for a last-minute divert. I wish I had made a quick PA right after the initial engine failure was under control; letting the passengers know that the plane will fly fine on one engine and that the good engine was working fine. I later heard that the passengers were pretty nervous given the loud; explosive nature of the event; combined with vibration and noise. We were task saturated and did our best; but that's an area where I personally feel I could have done better. I could've had the first officer make a quick call to ZZZ operations just to let them know we're coming and to notify dispatch of our intentions.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 Flight Crew experiences an engine failure passing FL240 in the climb. The departure airport has short runways and the first choice for diversion has low ceilings. The second choice is VFR and the crew diverts but is unable to inform Dispatch in advance due to time constraints.

Narrative: During our climb; through FL240; we experienced an engine failure. We leveled off; took care of the problem; and declared an emergency. We requested a turn back toward ZZZ1 in the process (thinking long runways; good emergency support; and close field). The Center began giving us a descent and vectors. Once we had the initial parts of the Emergency Checklists and coordination with the Cabin Crew completed; we asked about the weather in ZZZ1. Hearing the weather was poor (low visibility in fog); we decided ZZZ would be a more suitable divert field and requested a turn toward ZZZ. We were still somewhat high for a stable approach into ZZZ1 at that point; so ZZZ worked out well for getting down. The weather was better in ZZZ allowing for a visual approach; rather than the high probability of a single-engine ILS approach in ZZZ1. We didn't know the forecast trend in ZZZ1 either. As I approached ZZZ; I was finally able to speak to the passengers directly about our intentions. The Flight Attendants had briefed them prior to that. Unfortunately; our workload was high; completing all the necessary checklists; so answering Dispatchs' ACARS message wasn't accomplished.I usually check the weather in ZZZ and ZZZ1 prior to departure; but for some reason today I didn't. That would've made me more prepared for a last-minute divert. I wish I had made a quick PA right after the initial engine failure was under control; letting the Passengers know that the plane will fly fine on one engine and that the good engine was working fine. I later heard that the Passengers were pretty nervous given the loud; explosive nature of the event; combined with vibration and noise. We were task saturated and did our best; but that's an area where I personally feel I could have done better. I could've had the First Officer make a quick call to ZZZ Operations just to let them know we're coming and to notify Dispatch of our intentions.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	909911
Time
Date	201009
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-700
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Turbine Engine
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 145 Flight Crew Type 3500
Person 2
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 217 Flight Crew Type 1600
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

B737 flight crew experiences an engine failure passing FL240 in the climb. The departure airport has short runways and the first choice for diversion has low ceilings. The second choice is VFR and the crew diverts but is unable to inform dispatch in advance due to time constraints.