N603FF

On August 14, 1995, about 1950 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 747-130, N603FF, operated by Tower Air Inc, as Flight 36, had an uncontained engine failure and was forced to return to John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamacia, New York. The airplane received minor damage, and there were no injuries to the flightcrew or the passengers. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a IFR flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted in accordance with 14 CFR Part 121, as a regularly scheduled international air carrier flight.

Flight 36, destined for Paris, France, was on the departure climb and had reached an altitude of 14,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), when the crew reported a severe vibration in the number 1 engine. The crew shut the engine down, declared an emergency, and returned to Kennedy Airport.

At the time of the incident the P&W, JT9D7A engine, was leased by Tower Air, and had 105 cycles since being installed on July 7, 1995.

Examination of the engine revealed a turbine shroud had separated, and penetrated the turbine exhaust case at the 6 to 9 o'clock position, exited the cowling and punctured the #2 outboard reserve fuel tank, plate. There was a fuel leak, but no fire.

There was no evacuation of the passengers. The airplane landed and taxied to the gate.

Numerous attempts were made to secure an NTSB Form 6120.1/2, without success.