This seems to explain it. Not an engine failure apparently.
http://www.cathaypacific.com/intl/ab...113569,00.html
02 December 2004
Cathay Pacific's flight CX751 incident
Cathay Pacific Airways clarified facts relating to an incident involving CX751 from Bangkok to Mumbai on 1 December, 2004.
Wire reports referring to a “A Cathay Pacific passenger jet’s left engine exploded minutes after takeoff from the Thai capital Bangkok” are completely incorrect.
CX751 (From Bangkok to Mumbai, Boeing 777-300) turned back to BKK at 18.57L Dec 1 after being airborne at 17.58L. The inner surface of the number one engine left hand D duct collapsed causing seperation of a section of the duct structure. The proximity of the released material to the engine exhaust may have produced some sparks.
The engine continued to operate satisfactorily. CX751 returned to Bangkok as a standard precautionary procedure. The safety of the 345 passengers and 17 crew members on board was not in question.
A plane was dispatched from Hong Kong to pick up the passengers to continue their journey to Mumbai. The scheduled departure time is 01.45L Dec 2.
The aircraft is currently on ground in Bangkok for inspection by Cathay Pacific and Boeing. Both HKCAD and the aviation authorities of Thailand have been informed of the incident.
D Duct
D duct is produced by Boeing and houses the engine thrust reverser. It comes in two halves and wraps around the engine core. A section of the left hand D duct on the No. 1 engine has delaminated, therefore releasing a section of composite material from the affected area. Both Cathay Pacific Engineering and Boeing are inspecting and investigating the incident.
It was reported that fallen debris from CX751 had hit a vehicle. The owner of the vehicle was not injured. Cathay Pacific is closely cooperating with the authorities in Thailand in the investigation of this matter.
Dr Dave