Delta B767 in multiple bird strike
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Been away for a while and just come upon this thread. Had a similar problem back in the 70s taking off at dawn in a Mk1 Victor tanker. Bird clearance done 10 mins prior but warm runway surface too attractive and they returned unseen. At about 100kts a large flock of gulls had time to get clear but at rotate a second flock had insufficient time at we went through it. Sounded like machine gun fire. Twas copilot's T/o so I was watching engines - they all became very unsteady! Luckily they were primitive straight through Saffires so they survived although all were rejected as beyond economic repair. I decided not to raise the gear as I considered it could have been damaged and it might not come down again. Immediate ILS and o'weight landing. Breaking action reduced by slippery seagull carcases. It was later said that over 200 birds had bought it. We didn't thanks to engines operating well away from the surge line. The copilot is now a very senior and highly regarded Monarch captain. Hi Dave.
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"Justo some rumors I heard from Alitalia maintenance crew, wich had to replace the engines on the affected aircraft.
- As mentioned many blades were damaged on both engine.
- One engine had to be shut down at some point, the other one, was only able to give partial power
- crew started to dump fuel, but with both engines damaged they decided to come back immediately, with a 10 tons overweight landing.
- Due to the excess of braking required due to the higher weight/speeds but also as they were not able to use reverse most of the main landing gear tyres blew up... "
I am not sure about the "blown" tyres, it was the next day when I saw the aircraft on the ground, so I suppose it is possible all the "blown" tyres were replaced.
Just for info, the aircraft took off on runway 16R. This runway is about 3/4 of a mile from the sea.
I also understand that when the flight crew came off the A/C they were rather pale! ( but apparently the passengers did not seem too worried - I was not there so can not verify, people react to dangerous situations in different ways)
I have noted that some of the comments have been rather flippant!, but thanks to those of you who DO fly for a living have given the incident the perspective that it deserves.
- As mentioned many blades were damaged on both engine.
- One engine had to be shut down at some point, the other one, was only able to give partial power
- crew started to dump fuel, but with both engines damaged they decided to come back immediately, with a 10 tons overweight landing.
- Due to the excess of braking required due to the higher weight/speeds but also as they were not able to use reverse most of the main landing gear tyres blew up... "
I am not sure about the "blown" tyres, it was the next day when I saw the aircraft on the ground, so I suppose it is possible all the "blown" tyres were replaced.
Just for info, the aircraft took off on runway 16R. This runway is about 3/4 of a mile from the sea.
I also understand that when the flight crew came off the A/C they were rather pale! ( but apparently the passengers did not seem too worried - I was not there so can not verify, people react to dangerous situations in different ways)
I have noted that some of the comments have been rather flippant!, but thanks to those of you who DO fly for a living have given the incident the perspective that it deserves.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Quite... Well done to the crew, I think we'd all look pretty pale after that.
It's not really a valuable training senario in the sim, but an interesting one to think about regarding the possibility of loss of power vs further engine damage. I wonder if they suspected damage to both engines while inflight?
It's not really a valuable training senario in the sim, but an interesting one to think about regarding the possibility of loss of power vs further engine damage. I wonder if they suspected damage to both engines while inflight?
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The aircraft manufacture only guarantees that a frozen chicken won't come through the windscreen the rest of the aircraft including engines have to take take their own chances.
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The Manufacturer has to show compliance with the Bird Requirements, which are based upon the perceived threat.
As far as the engines are concerned, the perception of threat has increased in severity over the years, and engines under current certification have to handle an encounter with large flocking birds such as Canada Geese.
Unfortunately Grandfather Rights tend to upset things, so current new production engines may assume a lower threat. And the vast majority of aircraft in service most certainly do.
As far as the engines are concerned, the perception of threat has increased in severity over the years, and engines under current certification have to handle an encounter with large flocking birds such as Canada Geese.
Unfortunately Grandfather Rights tend to upset things, so current new production engines may assume a lower threat. And the vast majority of aircraft in service most certainly do.
