What happened
On May 27, 2021, an Airbus A3/20-271N was performing a scheduled domestic flight from Carriel Sur Aerodrome (SCIE) in Talcahuano to Antofagasta. As the aircraft was accelerating on runway 02, the crew observed an animal approaching the left side of the plane. Shortly before reaching the decision speed (V1), a loud noise and a slight yaw to the left occurred, accompanied by a drop in power from the number one engine.
Due to the uncertainty of the moment, the captain elected to continue the takeoff. After rotation, the crew received an "ENG1 FAIL" alert on the ECAM. Following established emergency procedures, the crew shut down the affected engine and declared an emergency with Air Traffic Control. The aircraft subsequently returned to Carriel Sur and landed safely using an ILS CAT II approach. There were no injuries among the 124 passengers and 7 crew members, though the aircraft sustained damage to the number one engine.
The investigation
The DGAC Chile investigation focused on the sequence of events recorded by the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, as well as the environmental conditions at the aerodrome. Investigators examined the engine components and analyzed organic remains found within the engine.
At the time of the incident, the aerodrome was undergoing construction to normalize movement areas. The western side of the runway, adjacent to the takeoff area, had not yet been treated, which allowed for the formation of burrows. Furthermore, the proximity of the Rocuant-Andalién wetland to the north of the aerodrome contributes to a high presence of diverse wildlife in the area. While a runway inspection had been conducted prior to departure, reduced visibility due to fog prevented the detection of the animal on the field.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the ingestion of a common hare into the number one engine during the takeoff roll, which caused structural damage to the fan and subsequent loss of power.
- The location of the aerodrome near a protected wetland facilitates the presence of various wildlife species.
- Ongoing construction work near the runway perimeter created an environment conducive to wildlife burrowing.
- The high speed and power settings of the aircraft during the takeoff phase contributed to the severity of the engine damage.
Safety action
- Update airport regulations and procedures to incorporate modern wildlife mitigation techniques.
- Share wildlife incident statistics with aircraft operators to enable the implementation of appropriate preventive measures.
- Evaluate the inclusion of airline operators in local wildlife hazard committees (COLFAS).
- Encourage airlines to review and update operations manuals regarding wildlife activity and crew precautions.