Narrative:

Preflight; engine start; taxi; and takeoff were all normal. Briefed flight attendants to remain seated due to expected turbulence in climbout; and turbulence box was shown on weather sheet. Light to moderate chop/turbulence on climbout; which was more intense after 10;000 feet. Slowed from 250 KTS and selected 225 KTS to expedite climb. Heading select/level change engaged. Number two thrust lever retarded; then advanced; retarded; advanced to overspeed. Number one thrust lever automatically moved opposite of #2 until a/T disconnect. By then we had overspeed and overtemp on #2 followed shortly by [overspeed and overtemp on] #1. Right turn back toward [departure airport] for return to field. Declared emergency. Started overtemp checklist and #2 engine insidiously failed. Aircraft had moderate yaw and pitch oscillation. Took a long time to stabilize aircraft. Talked to flight attendants: engine surges; return to field; and I did not expect to evacuate upon landing. Single engine landing checklist for flaps 15. Fire equipment requested. Uneventful landing; cleared runway; and fire crew checked both right and left engines and aircraft. Taxied back to gate; gave aircraft to maintenance; debriefed fire department; ops; inflight; flight ops; and police. Conducted 15-minute debrief of entire crew with chief pilot; inflight recurrent trainer; and inflight representative present. Important to note: crew functioned exceptionally well; managing aircraft; passengers; also; those assisting after return to gate to accommodate passengers and their needs of travel. The insidious; rapidly changing situation and high speed development of this incident is something I have never seen in 32 years of flying. Flight duration was 13 minutes from takeoff to landing.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737-700 flight crew experienced surging/overspeed/overtemp on both engines on climbout from a high altitude airport. Number 2 engine spontaneously failed; so after running the checklists the flight declared an emergency and returned to departure airport.

Narrative: Preflight; engine start; taxi; and takeoff were all normal. Briefed flight attendants to remain seated due to expected turbulence in climbout; and turbulence box was shown on weather sheet. Light to moderate chop/turbulence on climbout; which was more intense after 10;000 feet. Slowed from 250 KTS and selected 225 KTS to expedite climb. Heading Select/Level Change engaged. Number two thrust lever retarded; then advanced; retarded; advanced to overspeed. Number one thrust lever automatically moved opposite of #2 until A/T disconnect. By then we had overspeed and overtemp on #2 followed shortly by [overspeed and overtemp on] #1. Right turn back toward [departure airport] for return to field. Declared emergency. Started Overtemp checklist and #2 engine insidiously failed. Aircraft had moderate yaw and pitch oscillation. Took a long time to stabilize aircraft. Talked to flight attendants: engine surges; return to field; and I did not expect to evacuate upon landing. Single Engine Landing Checklist for Flaps 15. Fire equipment requested. Uneventful landing; cleared runway; and fire crew checked both right and left engines and aircraft. Taxied back to gate; gave aircraft to Maintenance; debriefed fire department; Ops; Inflight; Flight Ops; and police. Conducted 15-minute debrief of entire Crew with Chief Pilot; Inflight Recurrent Trainer; and Inflight representative present. Important to note: crew functioned exceptionally well; managing aircraft; passengers; also; those assisting after return to gate to accommodate passengers and their needs of travel. The insidious; rapidly changing situation and high speed development of this incident is something I have never seen in 32 years of flying. Flight duration was 13 minutes from takeoff to landing.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.