What happened
On November 30, 2024, a Boeing 737-8HX, registered as LV-KGN, was performing a scheduled commercial passenger flight from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires to Gobernador Guzmán Airport in Jujuy. During the landing phase, the flight crew observed a medium-sized bird cross the aircraft's flight path, passing near the fuselage and heading toward one of the engines.
Upon touchdown, the crew deployed the thrust reversers. The engine displayed an N1 reading of 88.1% with normal parameters, which allowed the crew to rule out an immediate engine core ingestion. After vacating the runway, the crew notified air traffic control. A subsequent inspection of the maneuvering area by the airport operator confirmed the presence of feathers on the right side of the runway.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted as a desk study, included a visual inspection of the aircraft by the crew. They identified feathers inside the engine cowl, on the guide fan blades, and on the cowl strut support. Additionally, impact marks were noted on the outer fan cowl frame. No structural or mechanical damage was found on these components. The aircraft was subsequently handed over to technical personnel for a formal inspection, which concluded without finding further issues, allowing the aircraft to return to service.