Sichuan A320 near Kunming on Sep 15th 2014, fuel leak

A Sichuan Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration B-1887 performing flight 3U-8853 from Kunming to Xuzhou (China) with 123 people on board, was climbing through about FL230 when the aircraft experienced a jolt. A pilot left the cockpit and looked at both wings from the cabin. Some time later the smell of fuel became evident in the cabin increasing rapidly. The crew stopped the climb and returned to Kunming for a safe landing. A passenger was taken to hospital with heart problems.

The left hand engine's (V2527) cowl showed a large gap after landing, which appears similiar to the thrust reverser being open.

Passengers reported that the aircraft was climbing out of Kunming. After climbing through a cloud layer the aircraft experienced a jolt, a short time later a pilot came back to the cabin and looked through the windows onto both wings. A smell of fuel, perceived by the passengers as smell of Diesel, developed on board. The pilot returned to the cockpit, an announcement indicated they were returning to Kunming followed by a safe landing about 20 minutes later.

The airline reported the crew received a number of fault indications prompting them to return to Kunming as a precaution. A number of passengers, who did not feel well, were treated at the airport, one passenger was taken to a hospital with heart problems.

A replacement Airbus A320-200 registration B-6347 reached Xuzhou with a delay of 4.5 hours.

B-1887 after landing, observe the left hand engine (Photo: High Fai Nest):