Date: 201910
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Flight conditions: IMC
Weather elements / visibility: Turbulence; Thunderstorm
Light: Night
Aircraft: Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Turbine Engine
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Workload; Time Pressure
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: This crew experienced a left engine failure on takeoff from Runway XXR at ZZZ.At approximately 500 ft. on takeoff; we lost the left engine. The first officer was the flying pilot.The left engine thrust was in fluctuation between 0; 50% and 75% of thrust. Due to the nature of the [situation]; I took over flying the aircraft and communicating with ATC. The wide erratic left engine thrust required that the engine be secured for safe flight. I suspected possibly eminent engine damage due to erratic engine thrust mostly likely from multiple compressor stalls. It should be noted that there was some abnormal engine noise. At some point the left engine degraded caution message appeared. No fire indications were noted in the cockpit.We [requested priority handling] with the tower. We remained on runway heading until the aircraft was cleaned up and the EPC was completed.At a safe altitude the left engine was shut down and secured per the EPC checklist. The first officer ran all checklists; completing engine fire severe damage section and single engine procedure checklists per company policy and procedures.I notified the passengers via a PA announcement that we had to shut down an engine; due to mechanical issues. I reassured them that we would be returning to ZZZ for landing. The passengers were told that I would have them back on the ground in approximately 10-15 minutes. In addition I spoke to the flights attendants by intercom complying with the TEST information. The company was notified per ACARS.ZZZ departure and approach controllers vectored us back to the airport for a full ILS approach and landing on Runway XXL. ATC updated the ZZZ weather conditions. (wind 320 at 14; visibility 5sm; overcast 600). The flight landed safely in ZZZ without further incident.Upon landing; the ZZZ fire department visually inspected the engine for fire. No fire was noted. Apparently the Tower had observed a flame on takeoff and reported it only to the ZZZ fire commander. We taxied to the gate and deplaned the passengers and apologized for the inconvenience. No passengers or crew were injured. Upon our maintenance personnel initial engine inspection; left engine damage was noted. Two Maintenance write-ups were completed for the engine failure and overweight landing.


Second narrative: [Report narrative contained no additional information.]


Synopsis: CRJ900 flight crew reported an engine failure shortly after takeoff that resulted in a return to the departure airport.