Engine 'fell off or failed'

[barit1]

LowNSlow points out the ambiguity in a common aviation phrase. It's not the first time, nor the last, that "lost an engine" will be misinterpreted by the average journo.

OTOH - I have documented engine losses (separation) back to the mid-30s - most of them survivable.

[Swedish Steve]

Originally Posted by bobdbuilder

Only yesterday I heard on Swedish radio that an SAS MD flying from Paris to Copenhagen diverted to AMS with an engine that had failed and seperated(fell off).
The only info i found was on a swedish newspaper. Would appreciate more news about this incident in english.
Thanks

It appears that Aftonbladet made the simple error that when the crew called that they lost an engine the journo thought that it had fallen off. This was not the case. The paper amended its story later.

[Colonel Klink]

There have been a few 727's losing the odd outboard engine due to Blue Ice buildup from leaking toilet service doors. As the aircraft descends, the ice melts causing it to flow back into the engine, which then seperates due to the torque forces involved. Got a picture of a Northwest 727 taxiing in with one engine missing, taken several years ago.