Southwest B737 at Baltimore on Dec 12th 2014, flock of birds

Last Update: December 13, 2014 / 20:04:36 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Dec 12, 2014

Classification
Incident

Cause
Flock of birds

Airline
Southwest Airlines

Flight number
WN-3118

Departure
San Antonio, United States

Destination
Baltimore, United States

Aircraft Registration
N7710A

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-700

ICAO Type Designator
B737

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration N7710A performing flight WN-3118 from San Antonio,TX to Baltimore,MD (USA) with 142 passengers and 5 crew, was on approach to Baltimore's runway 28 maintaining 4000 feet approximately 15nm southeast of Baltimore Airport when the aircraft flew through a large flock of birds, the crew subsequently reported damage to the leading edge flaps and problems in extending the flaps. The crew requested delay vectors to work out whether and how to extend the flaps, then suddenly requested an immediate turn to runway 28 for immediate landing and requested emergency services on standby prompting final approach control to declare emergency for the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely on runway 28, after landing the crew reported they got some warning for the right hand engine (CFM56), there was some observation of smoke and abnormal indications, a bird probably went through the engine, there was no fire indication however. The crew requested emergency services to check the right hand engine, which was shut down after landing. Emergency services reported no fire and no visible damage to the engine. Following inspection the aircraft taxied to the apron with emergency trucks following the aircraft.

Observers on the ground reported seeing streaks of flames and unusual engine sounds from the right hand engine while the aircraft passed over Anne Arundel County, 15nm southeast of Baltimore Airport, at low altitude.

The airline confirmed a bird strike, the aircaft was taken out of service. A replacement aircraft continued the onward leg to Detroit,MI (USA).
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Dec 12, 2014

Classification
Incident

Cause
Flock of birds

Airline
Southwest Airlines

Flight number
WN-3118

Departure
San Antonio, United States

Destination
Baltimore, United States

Aircraft Registration
N7710A

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-700

ICAO Type Designator
B737

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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