Narrative:

Shortly after our level off at FL360 I noticed the autopilot and auto throttles disconnected. I then looked at altitude and airspeed and noticed aircraft speed approximately 10 KTS below target bug. I then looked at the engine indications and noticed a rolling back of number one engine speed and egt. About half of a second later engine fail was displayed on the number one engine gauges. The captain then declared to me that he had the aircraft and requested that I declare an emergency with ATC; and to ask for a right 180 degree descending turn back toward our departure airport. I agreed and complied. The request was granted from ATC along with clearance to an initial altitude of 15;000 ft. The captain then stated that he had the radios and the controls; and asked for the engine failure/shutdown checklist. I double checked to make sure there were no indications of engine fire or seizure; and then proceeded to execute the requested checklist. When it became time in the checklist to decide between a windmilling or cross bleed restart attempt we decided to choose a cross bleed start based on current aircraft altitude and airspeed. One restart was attempted; but there was never an engine relight. We then decided to continue in the checklist to secure the engine and set up and brief for a single engine landing back at our departure airport. All checklists were completed. The landing was uneventful and well executed by the captain. After landing the fire department examined the aircraft exterior and the captain; I; and the flight attendants determined that the aircraft and passengers were ok to taxi to the gate.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B737-900 First Officer reported an engine failed at FL360. An emergency was declared and a return to departure airport safely accomplished.

Narrative: Shortly after our level off at FL360 I noticed the autopilot and auto throttles disconnected. I then looked at altitude and airspeed and noticed aircraft speed approximately 10 KTS below target bug. I then looked at the engine indications and noticed a rolling back of number one engine speed and EGT. About half of a second later ENG FAIL was displayed on the number one engine gauges. The Captain then declared to me that he had the aircraft and requested that I declare an emergency with ATC; and to ask for a right 180 degree descending turn back toward our departure airport. I agreed and complied. The request was granted from ATC along with clearance to an initial altitude of 15;000 FT. The Captain then stated that he had the radios and the controls; and asked for the engine failure/shutdown checklist. I double checked to make sure there were no indications of engine fire or seizure; and then proceeded to execute the requested checklist. When it became time in the checklist to decide between a windmilling or cross bleed restart attempt we decided to choose a cross bleed start based on current aircraft altitude and airspeed. One restart was attempted; but there was never an engine relight. We then decided to continue in the checklist to secure the engine and set up and brief for a single engine landing back at our departure airport. All checklists were completed. The landing was uneventful and well executed by the Captain. After landing the Fire Department examined the aircraft exterior and the Captain; I; and the flight attendants determined that the aircraft and passengers were OK to taxi to the gate.

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.