The "Let`s all pray" captain praised by his boss - Curt Lewis

ATSB report reveals cause of Perth Air Asia X A330 engine failure

Australia's crash investigator has blamed metal fatigue of a fan blade for the engine failure that crippled an Air Asia X A330 and forced a return to Perth earlier this year.

The Australian Transport safety Bureau has released its interim report this morning over the June 25 flight during which passengers were asked to "say a prayer" by the pilot.

The ATSB report said "interviews and analysis of recorded flight data, indicated that the flight crew conducted an in-flight engine shutdown and returned to Perth."

It was at this point that Captain Ibrahim told passengers "I hope you all say a prayer, I'll be saying a prayer too and let's hope we all get back home safely."

The aircraft, operating flight D7-237 with 359 passengers and crew, departed Perth at 7am and was abeam Carnarvon at 38,000ft when the failure occurred on the number 1 engine, resulting in engine damage and significant airframe vibration.

The captain has been criticised for not diverting to Learmonth that was only 20 minutes away.

The ATSB said in its report "the shutdown engine continued to rotate in the airflow, resulting in ongoing airframe vibration".

Videos taken by passengers show excessive vibration.

However, AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes lavished praise on the pilot and crew saying he was "super proud of Captain Ibrahim".