Narrative:
Delta flight 1691, an Airbus A320-211, N331NW, experienced a bird strike during initial climb after departure from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (KMSP), Minnesota. There were no injuries to the 150 passengers and crewmembers onboard and the airplane was substantially damaged.
According to the flight crew, a flock of "50-100" large white birds, possibly geese, appeared in front of the airplane during initial climb. The first officer, who was the pilot flying, increased the rate of climb to attempt to avoid the flock, but at least one bird made impacted the aircraft. After striking the bird, the flight crew received an Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor message for loss of cabin pressure and the right side airspeed indication became erratic. The flight crew declared an emergency and made an uneventful landing back at KMSP.
Examination of the aircraft after landing revealed substantial damage to the forward pressure bulkhead and minor damage to the right engine.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "In-flight collision with birds during initial climb, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft."
Forced landing on runway
accident date: 10-11-2011
type: Airbus A320-211
registration: N331NW
accident date: 10-11-2011
type: Airbus A320-211
registration: N331NW
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Thursday 10 November 2011 |
| Time: | 11:57 |
| Type: |  Airbus A320-211 |
| Operator: | Delta Air Lines |
| Registration: | N331NW |
| MSN: | 318 |
| First flight: | 1992-03-25 (19 years 8 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 59784 |
| Engines: | 2 CFMI CFM56-5A1 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 144 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 150 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN (MSP) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN (MSP/KMSP), United States of America |
| Reno/Tahoe International Airport, NV (RNO/KRNO), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | DL1691 |
Delta flight 1691, an Airbus A320-211, N331NW, experienced a bird strike during initial climb after departure from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (KMSP), Minnesota. There were no injuries to the 150 passengers and crewmembers onboard and the airplane was substantially damaged.
According to the flight crew, a flock of "50-100" large white birds, possibly geese, appeared in front of the airplane during initial climb. The first officer, who was the pilot flying, increased the rate of climb to attempt to avoid the flock, but at least one bird made impacted the aircraft. After striking the bird, the flight crew received an Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor message for loss of cabin pressure and the right side airspeed indication became erratic. The flight crew declared an emergency and made an uneventful landing back at KMSP.
Examination of the aircraft after landing revealed substantial damage to the forward pressure bulkhead and minor damage to the right engine.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "In-flight collision with birds during initial climb, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft."
Accident investigation:
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Classification:
Bird strikeForced landing on runway
Photos
accident date: 10-11-2011
type: Airbus A320-211
registration: N331NW
accident date: 10-11-2011
type: Airbus A320-211
registration: N331NW
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN to Reno/Tahoe International Airport, NV as the crow flies is 2241 km (1400 miles).
Distance from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN to Reno/Tahoe International Airport, NV as the crow flies is 2241 km (1400 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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