Bird strike causes engine damage on Boeing 737-800 at San Martín de los Andes

Casualties unknown • Aeropuerto Chapelco - San Martin (Sazy) (Neuquen), AR

A Boeing 737-800 operating a scheduled passenger flight experienced a bird strike during landing at Chapelco Airport, resulting in minor damage to the number one engine.

What happened

On November 20, 2025, at 19:33 UTC, a Boeing 737-800, registration LV-GKU, was performing a scheduled commercial passenger flight from Buenos Aires (Aeroparque) to San Martín de los Andes (Aeropuerto Aviador Carlos Campos). During the landing phase of the flight, the aircraft's number one engine sustained a bird strike.

Following the impact, the aircraft continued its taxi to the apron without further incident. The passengers disembarked normally, and there were no injuries reported. A subsequent runway inspection by airport personnel confirmed the presence of bird remains on the airfield.

The investigation

As part of a desk investigation, technical details regarding the engine's condition were reviewed. A borescope inspection of the affected engine revealed damage to a single blade within the first stage of the compressor.

To restore the aircraft to a safe operating condition, maintenance crews performed a complete replacement of the number one engine in accordance with the approved aircraft maintenance manual (AMM). Following the engine change and necessary airworthiness verifications, the aircraft returned to service on November 30, 2025.

Probable cause

The engine sustained damage due to the ingestion of a bird during the landing phase of the flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2025-11-20 BOEING B-737-800 accident near Aeropuerto Chapelco - San Martin (Sazy) (Neuquen), AR?

A Boeing 737-800 operating a scheduled passenger flight experienced a bird strike during landing at Chapelco Airport, resulting in minor damage to the number one engine.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2025-11-20 involved a BOEING B-737-800, registration LV-GKU, operated by Aviación Comercial, at Aeropuerto Chapelco - San Martin (Sazy) (Neuquen), AR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine sustained damage due to the ingestion of a bird during the landing phase of the flight.

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