Originally Posted by
jmastron
I understand they're making a technical distinction, but I definitely wouldn't refer to it as a "contained" engine failure either. If the cowling and other parts that went flying are not considered part of the containment system, then *something* escaped and damaged them enough to make them go flying. And if they are considered part of the containment system, then that containment system failed.
The containment is specifically for departing blades; they do not want those departing radially at high speed into the fuselage or wing. They'd like them to be liberated downstream, but sometimes they go out the front which has obvious challenges to prevent.
Originally Posted by
jmastron
Either way -- engine fails and nothing goes flying: Good (as far as containment goals at least). Engine fails and debris goes flying in all directions making holes in the plane and buildings on the ground: Very Bad.
This is a wildly oversimplistic view that fails to account for the severity of the damage.