What happened
On 11 October 2005, an Airbus A320, registration EI-DEA, was conducting a scheduled public transport flight from Amsterdam to Cork Airport. During the final approach to Runway 35, the pilot observed a significant flock of birds ascending from the ground between the runway threshold and the 1,000-foot altitude mark. To avoid the hazard, the crew initiated a go-around at approximately 100 feet. During this maneuver, the aircraft passed through the upper portion of the flock, which was estimated to consist of roughly 150 birds, resulting in several audible impacts.
Following the maneuver, the crew successfully completed a standard approach and landing. While there were no injuries to the 6 crew members or 96 passengers, the aircraft sustained damage to the airframe. Post-flight inspections revealed that several birds had been ingested into the number two engine, and a puncture was found in the leading edge of one of the trailing edge flaps. Bloodstains from the impact were also noted on the nose gear bay, the right leading edge, and the number two engine cowl.
The investigation
The investigation established that the aircraft sustained damage due to multiple bird strikes during the go-around. At the time of the incident, Airport Fire Services (AFS) were actively performing bird-scaring activities in a different area of the airfield, specifically north of the intersection of runways 35 and 25. Although Air Traffic Control had cleared the aircraft for a normal landing, the sudden movement of the flock into the flight path necessitated the immediate decision to abort the approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the sudden appearance of a large flock of birds in the aircraft's flight path.
- The crew's decision to execute a go-around prevented a potentially more serious encounter.
- Despite ongoing bird-scaring efforts by airport personnel, the unpredictable nature of bird movement remains a persistent challenge for aviation safety.