20140918016799I

September 18, 2014, at approximately 0930 pacific standard time , N656JB, an Airbus A320-232 (msn 3091) operating as flt# 1416 from Long Beach, CA (lgb) to austin, TX (aus), performed an air return to lgb and conducted an emergency evacuation of the aircraft via the door-mounted and over wing escape slides after a failure of the right- hand (#2) engine.

During the initial climb at approx 8000 feet, the aircraft sustained a number 2 engine failure and under cowling fire. The flight crew received several ecam messages, #2 engine fire warning, as well as physical symptoms of a sudden failure of the #2 engine. The flight crew secured the engine and discharged the fire bottles. Considerable smoke, from failed engine, was visible in the cabin. The flight returned and landed on runway 30, stopping at the intersection of the runway and taxiway golf where the remaining engine was shut down and the evacuation was initiated. All the slides were deployed successfully. The airport rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) units responded, however, firefighting efforts were not required.

The engine failure was contained. The aircraft sustained damage to the engine thrust reverser cowls, and minor damage to the aft fuselage near the cargo door.

There was one minor injury, and the same pax was taken to hospital suffering from anixety related symptoms.

Note:

Engine total time - 30,312 hours and 10,573 cycles. This is the original engine installed since purchase of aircraft on 04/03/2007. Airframe has the same hours and cycles.