An md-88 captain reported engine problem after takeoff. An emergency was declared; the engine shut d...

Narrative:

On climbout was hand flying when heard loud explosion accompanied with pronounced airframe vibration; numerous environmental advocacy and organizing program (eaop) messages; and master caution lights. Right engine instruments reading zeros or dashes; and first officer announced 'right engine failure.' declared an emergency with ATC and turned for visual return. Flight attendants call; notifying us of haze in cabin. At that time; cockpit was clear. [We] advised flight attendants of situation; by now; airframe vibration gone; and aircraft flying normally. Shut down right engine. Just past abeam; I noticed haze at first officer's feet. Called ATC for immediate return; should visibility become an issue. Completed checklists; and flew visual approach; landing and rollout uneventful. Cleared runway; and fire crew inspected aircraft. All clear and cabin air clearing. Taxi to gate; and deplane. Recommendations: after declaring an emergency; ATC should set up for runway requested (unless unusable); and not try to give us other runways. This is an extreme workload time; and an inappropriate time to suggest over runways. An abbreviated engine failure/fire/damage checklist printed on outside of QRH when immediate return is possible and prudent.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An MD-88 Captain reported engine problem after takeoff. An emergency was declared; the engine shut down; and a safe landing ensued. Reporter suggested better help from ATC would have been appreciated.

Narrative: On climbout was hand flying when heard loud explosion accompanied with pronounced airframe vibration; numerous Environmental Advocacy and Organizing Program (EAOP) messages; and Master Caution lights. Right engine instruments reading zeros or dashes; and First Officer announced 'right engine failure.' Declared an emergency with ATC and turned for visual return. Flight Attendants call; notifying us of haze in cabin. At that time; cockpit was clear. [We] advised Flight Attendants of situation; by now; airframe vibration gone; and aircraft flying normally. Shut down right engine. Just past abeam; I noticed haze at First Officer's feet. Called ATC for immediate return; should visibility become an issue. Completed checklists; and flew visual approach; landing and rollout uneventful. Cleared runway; and fire crew inspected aircraft. All clear and cabin air clearing. Taxi to gate; and deplane. Recommendations: After declaring an emergency; ATC should set up for runway requested (unless unusable); and not try to give us other runways. This is an extreme workload time; and an inappropriate time to suggest over runways. An abbreviated ENG FAILURE/FIRE/DAMAGE checklist printed on outside of QRH when immediate return is possible and prudent.

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	979238
Time
Date	201111
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-88
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Turbine Engine
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150 Flight Crew Total 18000 Flight Crew Type 13800
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

An md-88 captain reported engine problem after takeoff. An emergency was declared; the engine shut down; and a safe landing ensued. Reporter suggested better help from ATC would have been appreciated.