What happened
On April 5, 2013, at approximately 10:29 local time, a Boeing 737-4Q8, registration N279AD, was performing a takeoff from La Aurora Airport in Guatemala City, Guatemala. During the takeoff phase, the aircraft's right engine ingested a turkey vulture.
There were no injuries resulting from the event.
The investigation
Post-flight inspections of the aircraft identified damage to the first stage compressor of the right engine. The investigation was conducted by the Departamento de Accidentes e Incidentes of the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) of Guatemala, with the NTSB providing an Accredited Representative to assist under ICAO Annex 13.