Date: 201601
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: A321
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Turbine Engine
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Troubleshooting; Workload
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
Detector: Automation Aircraft Other Automation; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Manuals; Procedure
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: After a delay waiting for logbook; previous crew reported an ECAM message that during descent RT engine experienced a stall; our aircraft was cleared for service. After spooling engines up; prior to takeoff roll; engine parameters seemed normal. Just after liftoff; before gear retraction; RT engine EPR dropped to zero; bumping up only during continual reports during compressor stalls. Tower was immediately advised by FO. A left turn was initiated; where after cleaning up the aircraft to 'flaps 1' position; engine failure checklist was run. Engine seemed to be operating at idle power without any further activity; so I elected to let it idle for the approach and landing. Autopilot was engaged and shortly after; disengaged due to unsatisfactory performance for holding altitude; heading or airspeed. No further use of autopilot was attempted. Tower advised - CFR equipment was already in place when requested; as they heard our engine reports from the fire house. Landing was made back with right crosswind. Overweight landing at 177;800 lbs was made at less than 100 feet / min. A/C was stopped on the runway for inspection by fire apparatus/personal. Fire chief advised RT engine was smoking and recommended shut down. After securing the right engine and being advised that the A/C could be moved safely to the gate; we proceeded to gate with fire equipment escort. FAs and passengers were briefed in flight regarding our mechanical difficulties; first officer AND the cabin crew were exceptional and passengers appreciative upon deplaning. A/C was taken out of service; new flight plan and equipment were required; and neither were ready prior to our maximum off time (MOT). Crew schedule/tracking did contact me regarding extending my duty time; and in the interest of safety - fatigue being a consideration; I opted out as permitted in our contract/FAR


Second narrative: Before flight; maintenance addressed previous engine write up. During our flight; captain was PF; everything was normal until rotation. On rotation; right engine began to compressor stall repeatedly with an associated loss of thrust. [Advised ATC]; retarded the right thrust lever to idle; ran checklists while making left traffic to return for an overweight landing. Compressor stalls abated at idle thrust. ARFF inspected engine and followed us back to a gate. No other abnormalities.


Synopsis: An A321 right engine compressor stalled during takeoff so the flight returned to the departure airport. A Mechanic reported the aircraft's previous crew reported a compressor stall ECAM during descent; but did not state visual or auditory confirmation. This resulted in the aircraft being released on the minimal inspection condition.