Date: 201211
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.TRACON, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: Turbine Engine
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Workload
Second reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: During the climb-out about 4;500 feet N1 on Engine 1 decreased about 6-8%. The power change was noticed immediately and then power returned to requested N1. The First Officer and I discussed the uncommanded power reduction change and checked EICAS; other indications were normal. We noted the change and said we would keep an eye on it. Then [we noted] EICAS message 'Engine 1 rev disagree' on EICAS for a second or two and then EICAS screen went blank. I felt a power loss and then I reduced the thrust on Number 1 because I was concerned with the EICAS message I had seen. The EICAS screen then came back on and [we] saw 'Engine 1 out' then message cleared and [we] had 'Engine 1 rev disagree' on EICAS. At this time we referred to the QRH 'Engine rev disagree' and performed the procedure. We notified ATC of [our] Emergency and leveled off. We continued to run QRC procedures; which resulting in us shutting down the Number 1 engine. We briefed the Flight Attendant and asked ATC to notify [our] company. We also confirmed with ATC that they would have emergency equipment standing by. We chose [the appropriate runway] for winds.  We had ATC vector us until we were ready for the approach. We continued to run checklist as directed by the QRH.  I informed the passengers that we would be returning to [departure airport]. After landing and informing ATC we would not need emergency assistance we exited the runway and stopped and called the Flight Attendant; [told her] everything was fine; then informed her we would be taxiing to the gate. After arriving at the gate and parking pulled the CVR CB. The First Officer and I were communicating throughout the trip and today when we really need to work as a team it paid off. [This] demonstrates how important it is to continually work on crew communication skills. Errors: we made mistakes on verbiage; callouts of checklist; and somehow we overlooked or missed the crossfeeding consideration on the QRH communication or checklist error. Due to this; we did get a fuel imbalance message at which time we did start crossfeeding. We landed within limitations. To improve performance; I will review QRH on a more regular basis and pay more attention to proper verbiage and continue to work on my communication skills.


Second narrative: The high workload that occurred at the realization of an engine failure was one of the biggest threats in this incident. Multiple targets in the vicinity of [the airport] were also a factor as ATC had to vector us around from the North to the visual.


Synopsis: EMB-145LR flight crew reported losing Number 1 engine shortly after takeoff. Engine was shut down; emergency declared; and a safe return to departure airport was executed.