Amazon Prime A333 at Cincinnati on Jan 28th 2026, bird strike results in engine fire
Last Update: February 25, 2026 / 22:21:54 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Jan 28, 2026
Classification
Accident
Airline
Amazon Prime Air
Flight number
AS-2616
Departure
Cincinnati, United States
Destination
Houston Intercontinental, United States
Aircraft Registration
N5827K
Aircraft Type
Airbus A330-300
ICAO Type Designator
A333
The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT STRUCK A BIRD ON TAKEOFF RESULTING IN A LEFT ENGINE FIRE AND RETURNED TO AIRPORT, COVINGTON, KY."
On Feb 6th 2026 the NTSB reported the occurrence was rated an accident and is being investigated. The aircraft was struck by multiple birds after takeoff from runway 27 resulting in an ECAM indication and subsequent engine failure. The aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The aircraft was still on the ground in Cincinnati about 23 hours after landing back.
On Feb 25th 2026 the NTSB released their preliminary report summarizing the sequence of events:
According to the flight crew, after takeoff from runway 27, while climbing through 900-1,000 ft, the captain observed a flock of geese flying from right to left. The captain, who was the pilot monitoring, called out “birds” and then the flight crew felt multiple birds impact the left and right side of the airplane. At that time, the flight crew observed the electronic centralized aircraft monitor (ECAM) warning and a master caution indication. The flight crew observed the ENG 1 FAULT indication on the ECAM, immediately followed by ENG 1 FAIL. The flight crew initiated the ECAM procedures for the No. 1 (left) engine failure. The captain alerted air traffic control (ATC) of the birdstrike, declared an emergency, and requested a return to CVG.
ATC provided vectors for landing on runway 36R. During the air return, the flight crew observed smoke entering the cockpit and subsequently a MD (main deck) SMOKE ECAM message. The flight crew donned their oxygen masks and began to run the quick reference handbook (QRH) procedure for the MD SMOKE indication. After configuring the airplane for landing, the flight crew determined the smoke had dissipated and removed their oxygen masks for the remainder of the approach and landing.
After landing, the first officer, who was the pilot flying, stopped the airplane on the runway and airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF) personnel inspected the airplane. The flight crew completed the left engine failure ECAM procedures and discharged fire extinguishing agent.
After determining that there was no fire on the airplane, ground personnel towed the airplane to the ramp. Airport operations personnel stated that they recovered the remains of eight Canada geese after the event.
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed bird remnants on the left main landing gear door and strut, the left-wing inboard flap, the No. 2 (right) engine pylon, the right-wing leading-edge slat and slat track. Additionally, both engines exhibited evidence of bird ingestion.
Damage and bird remnants were observed on the left engine nacelle (inside and outside of the inlet) and fan blades. The left engine fan had restricted rotation and was visibly misaligned.
The right engine had damage to the inlet cowl acoustic liner and bird remnants were found on the spinner and the exhaust nozzle. The right engine fan rotated freely.
Aircraft Registration Data
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Jan 28, 2026
Classification
Accident
Airline
Amazon Prime Air
Flight number
AS-2616
Departure
Cincinnati, United States
Destination
Houston Intercontinental, United States
Aircraft Registration
N5827K
Aircraft Type
Airbus A330-300
ICAO Type Designator
A333
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source
You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.
Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!
Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.
Send tip
Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.
Newest articles
Westjet Encore DH8D near Kelowna on Mar 2nd 2023, engine shut down in flight
A Westjet Encore de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration C-GVEN performing flight WS-3252 from Kamloops,BC to Calgary,AB (Canada) with 74 passengers…
Fleet type match
PSA CRJ9 at Charlotte on Sep 21st 2026, severe turbulence injures passenger
A PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-900 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N594NN performing flight AA-5045 from Toronto,ON (Canada) to…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.
SafetyScan Pro provides streamlined access to thousands of aviation accident reports. Tailored for your safety management efforts. Book your demo today
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways