Emergency descent — Airbus A321neo, engine vibration

Summary

A Virgin Australia Airbus A321neo declared PAN-PAN and commenced an emergency descent after a No. 2 engine vibration warning illuminated at FL380 en route from Brisbane to Sydney. The aircraft diverted to Newcastle Airport and landed without further incident. All 178 passengers and 6 crew were uninjured.

Investigation Findings (4)

1. 01Post-flight borescope inspection identified foreign object damage to the CFM LEAP-1A26 fan blades.
2. 02A hailstone ingestion event was identified from weather radar data — hail cells were embedded in the cloud layer at cruise altitude.
3. 03The engine was removed and repaired; the aircraft returned to service.
4. 04No systemic safety issues identified; ATSB published a safety message on convective weather avoidance at cruise altitude.