Incident Overview
Federal Express flight 1287 departed Colorado Springs en route to Memphis, Tennessee. While north of the airport and passing 8,500 feet mean sea level, the aircraft struck a flock of large white birds. The impact caused an uncontained failure of the no. 3 engine. Additionally, there was a loss of essential electrical power.
Damage Details
Visual inspection of the engine revealed bird remains in and around the no. 3 engine. The outboard 4 inches of the first stage compressor blade separated, damaging the first and second stage compressor blades, stator blades, and inlet guide vanes. Shrapnel was ejected through the engine case at the 12 o'clock position, severing the no. 3 electrical bus wire bundle and puncturing the engine inlet anti-ice bleed air duct. The nose and upper engine cowling and thrust reverser were also damaged. The constant speed drive oil cooler was partially separated due to engine vibrations. Minor damage was also noted to the right side of the fuselage.
Return and Landing
The captain declared an emergency and returned to the Colorado Springs Airport. The aircraft made an uneventful landing.