Pilot Debrief

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MD-90-30 near Phoenix, AZ — 2009-11-02

Final reportWPR10LA044
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Date
2009-11-02
Location
Phoenix, AZ, USA
Aircraft
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MD-90-30
Registration
N909DA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

An in-flight collision with birds.

NTSB narrative

The flight crew reported that during climb to cruise they heard a loud bang, followed by a "pop" in the pressurization and loud noise within the cockpit. The first officer stated that prior to the loud bang he observed "several black dots" directly in front of him. The flight crew declared an emergency and diverted to their departure airport, where they landed uneventfully. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed an approximately 18 inch by 21 inch tear in fuselage skin located aft of the right side flight deck eyebrow window and structural damage to the upper portion of the fuselage. Bird residue and feathers were observed near the torn area of fuselage skin. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Feather Identification Laboratory performed DNA analysis, microscopic examination, and whole feather comparisons with museum study skins on the recovered residue and feathers. The analysis identified the residue and feathers as the remains of a Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis). The weight range for the species complex is recorded from 906 to 1,429 grams, with an average weight of 3.3 pounds.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Other
First missed decision gate
Flight crew could have taken evasive action upon seeing black dots ahead.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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