Date: 201601
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
Aircraft component: Engine
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: We were at cruise flight at FL330. Approx. 30 minutes into cruise flight; in smooth air; we experienced a relatively intense shudder in the aircraft. During this shudder; an audible bang could be heard; although it wasn't very loud in the cockpit. The captain and I both immediately noticed that the N1 and N2 indications for the #2 engine were both rolling back; and the EGT was immediately maxed out. We both agreed that we had lost the right engine; and with the shudder; bang; and high EGT; we suspected engine damage. We [notified ATC] and started a descent. The flight attendants immediately started chiming; and I asked them to standby; as we were trying to deal with the situation.After we started the descent; I began going through the QRH. Upon completion of the checklist; I contacted dispatch and informed them that we were diverting which had already been coordinated with ATC. Our dispatcher was very helpful. He did a great job coordinating with and our station operations. He also gave us the weather.After returning from speaking with dispatch I called back to the flight attendants. It had probably been ten minutes at this point since I had asked them to standby and I commended them for their professionalism. They had obviously been calling up to tell us about the odd engine noise and vibration they heard and after they were asked to standby; they immediately went into action preparing the cabin for landing. By the time I called back to them they were already seated and ready to land.I informed them that we had an engine failure; were diverting and would be on the ground in 15 minutes; and that we didn't anticipate needing to evacuate. Next I briefed the passengers; and informed them that we had an issue with one of our engines; and gave them the same info regarding the landing airport and time remaining. We completed the single engine approach to landing checklist; and the single engine landing checklist.The Captain made a beautiful landing; and the rollout and taxi to the gate were uneventful. Emergency services were standing by on the ramp when we landed and they followed us to our parking spot. I want to compliment Captain on the job he did handling this emergency. He was calm and composed throughout; and did a great job getting the plane safely on the ground.As a line pilot; I don't want to assume that I know our maintenance practices; however; it seems that we push the engines on our fleet past the point that they should be run. Our operations program allows us to operate engines at a higher temperature simply because they can't operate under normal takeoff power settings without exceeding temperature limitations. This seems to be causing our engines to fail more often.




Synopsis: Flight crew experienced an engine failure during cruise. They diverted to a nearby suitable field followed by a normal landing.