An Amazon cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff in Kentucky due to a bird strike involving a flock of Canada geese. The incident occurred on January 28, 2023, at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew or on the ground.
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The incident unfolded shortly after the Airbus A330-300 took off at 3:05 p.m. local time, with its flight plan directed towards George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Within eight minutes of takeoff, the crew encountered a flock of birds. The captain, monitoring the flight’s ascent, detected the geese and promptly communicated with air traffic control. “Left engine, we took a bird intake, we just want to come back and land,” the pilot communicated in a recording shared by aviation website LiveATC.net.
According to a report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on February 25, the plane ascended to between 900 and 1,000 feet when the captain noticed a group of geese crossing the flight path. Soon after the impact, the crew received warnings indicating a fault in the left engine, leading to a declaration of an emergency and a request to return to CVG.
While navigating back to the airport, the crew observed smoke developing in the cockpit. They donned oxygen masks in response to the developing situation and prepared for an emergency landing. The air traffic control recording captured a crew member stating, “Alaska 2616 heavy, we have smoke in the cockpit,” as they managed the emergency.
The aircraft landed successfully at 3:13 p.m., only eight minutes after taking off. Upon landing, emergency responders conducted a thorough inspection and concluded that, despite the smoke, there was no fire aboard the plane. The aircraft was subsequently towed off the runway for further examination.
Post-incident assessments revealed significant evidence of the bird strike, including the remains of eight Canada geese. Investigators found bird remnants on the left main landing gear and strut, as well as signs of ingestion within both engines. The report indicated that while the left engine displayed limited rotation and misalignment, the right engine appeared to function normally.
An Amazon representative confirmed the occurrence of the bird strike and expressed relief that there were no injuries. “Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the crew is safe. The aircraft returned to the airport as a precaution, and impact to our customers is expected to be minimal,” the spokesperson stated.
The NTSB has announced that it will continue its investigation into the incident, aiming to gather more insights about the circumstances surrounding the bird strike and its effects on aircraft operations. Such events highlight the ongoing concerns regarding wildlife hazards near airports, particularly given the risks they pose to aviation safety.
Air safety experts consistently emphasise the importance of effective wildlife management strategies at airports to mitigate risks of bird strikes. As air traffic increases, particularly in busy urban areas, airports face the challenge of balancing operational efficiency with the need to protect both flights and wildlife.
In light of this incident, further discussions around enhancing safety measures and protocols related to wildlife encounters may emerge, ensuring that similar events can be avoided in the future. The aviation industry remains vigilant as it seeks to maintain safety standards while adapting to evolving challenges in air travel.