Engine Failure After Take-off in a Radar Environment
A Boeing 737-800 departs Runway 30R at Bahrain International. Shortly after rotation, at about 400 ft above ground level, the crew reports an engine failure and requests an immediate return. The aircraft is on runway heading, climbing slowly, and the crew reports difficulty maintaining altitude. The tower has a following departure, an A320, waiting at the holding point. The approach controller has an inbound A321 on a 10 NM final. Surface wind is 300 at 8 knots, visibility 10 km. The 737 crew requests vectors for an immediate return to Runway 30R.
1. What should the tower controller do first, and what instructions should be given to the 737?
Read the worked answer
The tower controller's first priority is to protect the 737 and clear the airspace around it. The controller should acknowledge the emergency, confirm the nature of the problem and the crew's intentions, and instruct the 737 to maintain runway heading and climb to a safe altitude if able, or to level off if unable. The controller should ask for the number of persons on board and fuel endurance, and confirm the crew's intention to return to Runway 30R. The controller should then clear the runway of the following departure - hold the A320 at the holding point - and alert the aerodrome rescue and fire fighting service. The controller should coordinate with the approach controller to suspend the inbound A321 and create space for the 737. The 737 should be given priority and, if able, vectored for an immediate return; if not, the controller should be prepared to offer an alternative such as a diversion to another runway.
2. How should the controller handle the inbound A321 and the departing A320 while the 737 returns?
Read the worked answer
The controller must sequence the other aircraft around the emergency. The A321 on a 10 NM final should be instructed to go around or to hold, with an explanation of the emergency. The controller should issue: 'A321, go around, I say again, go around, traffic is a 737 with engine failure returning to Runway 30R.' The A320 at the holding point should be instructed to hold position and advised of the emergency. The controller should coordinate with the approach controller to establish a holding pattern for the A321 and to reserve the runway for the 737. Once the 737 is on final and landed, the controller should confirm the runway is clear and then resume normal operations. Throughout, the controller should maintain a sterile frequency for the emergency aircraft, keep transmissions concise, and avoid unnecessary chatter on the tower frequency.