System Or Component Failure Or Malfunction (Powerplant), Garuda Indonesia (Airbus A330 T7-MMM); Adi Sumarmo International Airport, KNKT.24.07.15.04

On July 2, 2024, an Airbus 330-343 aircraft, registration T7-MMM, was being operated by PT Garuda Indonesia on an unscheduled passenger Hajj flight from Adi Soemarmo International Airport (WAHQ), Solo, Indonesia, with the intended destination of King Abdul Aziz International Airport (OEJN) Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on flight number GIA6239. 

About 1945 LT (1245 UTC), the aircraft departed from Solo. On board the aircraft were three pilots and 11 flight attendants. The Pilot in Command (PIC) acted as Pilot Flying (PF), while the Second in Command (SIC) acted as Pilot Monitoring (PM), and one pilot acted as augmented captain. 

About 1310 UTC, while the aircraft was climbing passed flight level (FL) 340, toward the cruising level of FL380, the Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM) displayed an ENG 1 STALL warning. This was immediately followed by significant vibrations throughout the aircraft. Afterward, the ECAM displayed the ENG 1 FAIL warning and the ENG LOOP B FAULT warning, followed by all parameters for engine number one dropped.

The SIC declared MAYDAY, reported that the aircraft had experienced an engine failure, and requested return to Solo to the air traffic controller. The flight then flew directly to the SLO VOR/DME

About 1407 UTC, the aircraft landed using Runway 26. Once the aircraft came to a complete stop on the runway, the PIC shut down engine number two. The PIC opened the cockpit window and noticed a visible glow inside the left engine. At the same time, the augmented captain checked the cabin and confirmed the presence of smoke. Shortly after, smoke and flames were observed around the left engine. An ARFF, which previously entered the runway from the rear of the aircraft using two Oshkosh trucks, approached the aircraft’s nose, and one of the ARFF personnel established communication with the PIC. As the fire intensified, the PIC deployed the right door escape slide for evacuation.

At 1419 LT, the ARFF team began spraying water and successfully extinguished the fire several minutes later. During the evacuation, one of the FAs experienced a serious injury. The injured FA was Indonesian. The injured FA sustained a fracture of the distal part of the right fibula and fractures of the base of the 3rd and 4th metatarsals of the right foot.

The notification was immediately sent to the involved parties. The investigation involves Bureau d’Enquetes et d’Analyses (BEA), France as the State of Manufacturer (aircraft), San Marino CAA as State of Registry, the Bundesstelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung (BFU), Germany as the State of Design (engine), the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), United Kingdom as the State of Manufacturer (engine), the Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA), Hong Kong as the State providing Information. Each participating State has appointed an accredited representative and accompanying advisers to support the investigation.

The investigation is continuing, and will include a detailed examination of the fan blade fracture surface to determine the cause of the failure, as well as an engine examination to assess the consequences of the occurrence and evaluate the effectiveness of the fire detection system. Should any further relevant safety issues arise during the course of the investigation, the KNKT will promptly notify the appropriate parties and publish the findings as necessary.