What happened
On December 30, 2016, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Enter Air experienced a bird strike during its initial climb from Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). The collision occurred at a barometric altitude of approximately 302 feet after the aircraft had departed from runway 11. Following the impact, the flight crew reported intense vibrations in the right engine at 09:12 UTC. The crew managed the vibration levels by reducing engine power.
After performing the necessary procedures outlined in the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH), the crew decided to return to the departure airport. The crew notified Air Traffic Control (ATC) of the situation and was assigned a holding pattern at 6,000 feet to burn off fuel and reach an appropriate landing weight. Once the aircraft weight was reduced, the crew performed a standard landing at 11:22 UTC without declaring an emergency.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the damage sustained by the aircraft and the environmental factors present at the time of the incident. Post-flight inspections revealed damage to two fan blades and the acoustic panel of the right engine. Although a falconer inspected the airport maneuvering area for bird remains, no debris or biological remains were located, as the strike occurred outside the airport perimeter.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the presence of a bird on the aircraft's flight path in the vicinity of the airport.
- The collision resulted in physical damage to the right engine's internal components.
- The crew successfully followed established emergency protocols to stabilize the engine and manage the return to land.