Created Tuesday, Oct 20th 2020 16:55Z, last updated Friday, Oct 23rd 2020 17:50Z
A Voyageur Airways Canadair CRJ-200 on behalf of United Nations, registration C-GJZJ performing flight UNO-788 from Khartoum to El Fasher (Sudan) with 37 people on board, was climbing out of Khartoum's runway 18 when the crew stopped the climb at about 7000 feet due to the failure of the right hand engine (CF34). The crew shut the engine down, requested fire engines be ready for their arrival and returned to Khartoum for a safe landing on runway 18 about 9 minutes after departure. The aircraft vacated the runway and stopped for an inspection. Upon inquiry by the crew whether any fire could be seen on the right hand engine or right hand side of the aircraft tower reported they could not see any fire at the right hand side of the aircraft, however, the right hand engine had obvious damage, obvious damage, obvious damage. The aircraft taxied to the apron.
Immediately after departure of UNO-788 another aircraft lined up for departure from runway 18 and had received takeoff clearance when tower instructed the aircraft to vacate the runway due to an ongoing emergency.
Sources in Khartoum report the uncontained engine failure may have been caused by a bird strike, a hawk is being suspected.
On Oct 23rd 2020 Canada's TSB reported while climbing through 8000 feet the crew observed five African Black Kites (mass about 0.7kg/1.5lbs, up to 0.6m/24" length, wingspan 1.5m/59") passing by the cockpit, then a bang noise and vibration followed. EICAS indicated a right hand engine fire, the crew worked the related checklists and discharged both fire bottles, the fire warning extinguished. The flight crew declared Mayday Mayday and returned to Khartoum for an uneventful landing.
The right hand engine seen after landing:
