View Full Version : Pilots of United Boeing 737 report striking drone on takeoff from San Francisco
NutLoose
31st Mar 2024, 16:12
United Boeing 737 MAX9 was on the initial climb when the pilots reported they had probably hit a drone.
The aircraft (registration N37535 (https://www.radarbox.com/data/registration/N37535)) climbed to 5,000 ft when the pilots contacted the tower and requested to return to SFO.
The flight was vectored back to SFO on runway 28R.An American Airlines pilot, waiting for takeoff, reported that animals were crossing the runway.
The flight landed 40 minutes after departure with 187 souls onboard after ILS approach.
It’s still not sure if the Boeing 737 MAX really hit a drone or if it was a more common birdstrike.
https://airlive.net/emergency/2024/03/31/united-boeing-737-max9-hits-a-drone-on-takeoff-from-san-francisco/
https://airlive.net/emergency/2024/03/31/united-boeing-737-max9-hits-a-drone-on-takeoff-from-san-francisco/
Chesty Morgan
31st Mar 2024, 16:45
Boeing really have shot themselves in the foot with the Max haven't they? This would not have happened if it was an Airbus! :}
Boeing really have shot themselves in the foot with the Max haven't they? This would not have happened if it was an Airbus! :}
Lol, good one Chesty!
Bksmithca
31st Mar 2024, 19:03
https://airlive.net/emergency/2024/03/31/united-boeing-737-max9-hits-a-drone-on-takeoff-from-san-francisco/
https://airlive.net/emergency/2024/03/31/united-boeing-737-max9-hits-a-drone-on-takeoff-from-san-francisco/
FAA now claiming it was a bird strike so guessing they found bird remains
Loose rivets
31st Mar 2024, 23:07
Given that the European Robin has a Head Up Display in its right eye, it remains to be seen. (see what I did there)
Really, angle of dip data is fed to its right eye.
Given that the European Robin has a Head Up Display in its right eye, it remains to be seen. (see what I did there)
Really, angle of dip data is fed to its right eye.
What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Capn Bloggs
31st Mar 2024, 23:46
airspeed velocity
Interesting concept... :}
Interesting concept... :}
https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=wMbpHwdnKIM&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Finterestingengineering.c om%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title
Cunning_Stunt
1st Apr 2024, 03:26
What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
African or European……
meleagertoo
1st Apr 2024, 09:55
A return for a drone/birdstrike with no report of evidence of damage? Sounds a bit extreme doesn't it?
Sailvi767
1st Apr 2024, 13:21
A return for a drone/birdstrike with no report of evidence of damage? Sounds a bit extreme doesn't it?
If you hit a decent sized bird on a cockpit window it sounds like a small explosion in the cockpit. Would you be comfortable pressurizing the aircraft fully while sitting next to that window?
meleagertoo
2nd Apr 2024, 08:33
Certainly happy if not visibly damaged, why ever not?
Lonewolf_50
2nd Apr 2024, 13:34
A return for a drone/birdstrike with no report of evidence of damage? Sounds a bit extreme doesn't it?
How about this PoV: if the crew chose to return, I'll not second guess them. It was their call to make.
They made their own risk assessment based on what info they had, and if they chose conservatively so be it.
Certainly happy if not visibly damaged, why ever not?
I should think that if their initial observation was that they hit a drone and not, as seems to have happened, a bird, then I should also think they were more concerned about those parts of the aircraft that cannot be seen from the front.
While I would tend to agree with you where the strike is obvious and it is clear there was no damage done continue on, it doesn't sound as though that was the impression here. In which case, excellent job to ensure the safety of all onboard.
Sailvi767
2nd Apr 2024, 23:22
Certainly happy if not visibly damaged, why ever not?
You would have no idea what damage may have occurred to the structure not visible from inside the cockpit. The kinetic energy from even a modest sized bird is enormous at 250 knots. I hit a bird at 250 knots in a USN trainer and the aircraft never flew again. Most of the structural damage was not visible. I had what we considered a minor strike in another aircraft that broke a frame internally. A visual inspection showed nothing until they borescoped inside.
https://youtu.be/ibJ3aXrvaCs?si=6nORNF1vgAuFRcP4
WillowRun 6-3
3rd Apr 2024, 00:07
How about this PoV: if the crew chose to return, I'll not second guess them. It was their call to make.
They made their own risk assessment based on what info they had, and if they chose conservatively so be it.
Like button, "on."
Shytehawk
3rd Apr 2024, 11:41
How much of the external can be seen from inside? Glad you have retired.