Description

On 22 February 1999, a Boeing 757-200 operated by Delta Air Lines, penetrated a large flock of Starlings during takeoff from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Covington, Kentucky. The bird strike resulted in substantial damage to both engines but with no significant effect on the control of the airplane which made an uneventful return to land.

Synopsis

This is an extract from the factual Accident Report (NYC99LA064) published by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), USA:

"....While taxing, he [the captain] heard no mention of a bird hazard by another aircraft or ATC. After reaching the runway, the captain initiated the takeoff with the first officer at the controls. The takeoff roll was normal until passing approximately 150 kts; at that point, a flock of birds travelling from left to right passed in front of the airplane. The captain advised the first officer of the hazard and asked him to attempt to climb over the flock. The first officer increased pitch angle, but the airplane still penetrated the flock. At the time of penetration, the nose wheel was in the air and the main landing gear was just becoming airborne. The captain advised ATC of the event, and was cleared to land.

After advising ATC, the flight crew performed [a left hand circuit to land on] runway 18L, landed, and taxied to the gate without further incident. The captain observed no change in engine performance or flight characteristics during or after the event. He added that the birds were small and brown, with white spots.