United B752 at Chicago on Apr 15th 2014, compressor stalls

A United Boeing 757-200, registration N516UA performing flight UA-537 from Chicago O'Hare,IL to Orlando,FL (USA) with 169 people on board, was in the initial climb out of Chicago's runway 22L when the crew reported left hand engine (PW2037) compressor stalls, levelled off at 4000 feet and decided to return to Chicago. At the time frequent wind shear alerts on runway 27L were transmitted with gains reported between 15 and 20 knots on a 3nm final. The aircraft landed safely on runway 28C about 20 minutes after departure, vacated the runway and taxied towards the apron.

A passenger reported that the aircraft was climbing through about 1000 feet AGL (later confirmed by a discussion with the first officer) when 4 bangs together with orange flashes occurred in short succession. The aircraft levelled off shortly afterwards and set course to return to Chicago, both engines obviously still running. The captain subsequently announced the left hand engine had suffered compressor stalls, the instruments were reading normal again, nonetheless they would return to O'Hare. Emergency services met the aircraft as it taxied to the gate.

A replacement Boeing 757-200 registration N559UA reached Orlando with a delay of 5.5 hours.

Metars:

KORD 160151Z 21004KT 10SM SCT060 01/M08 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP226 T00111078 $

KORD 160051Z 24004KT 10SM BKN060 02/M09 A3016 RMK AO2 SLP216 T00171089 $

KORD 152351Z 26008KT 10SM BKN065 02/M09 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP213 T00221094

KORD 152251Z 27010KT 10SM FEW047 SCT055 BKN070 03/M09 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP213 T00331089 $

KORD 152151Z 31008KT 10SM SCT055 BKN070 02/M09 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP210 T00221089

KORD 152051Z 30006KT 10SM FEW047 BKN060 OVC070 02/M10 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP214 T00171100

KORD 151951Z 32010KT 10SM BKN060 03/M10 A3015 RMK SLPNO T00281102