Incident Overview
On August 24, 2024, at 11:17 UTC, a Boeing 737-8U3 (registration LV-KEF, serial number 30147) operating a scheduled commercial flight FO5550 from Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) to Comandante Armando Tola Airport (El Calafate) experienced a bird strike during the initial climb phase. The aircraft had departed runway 11 and, at approximately 600 feet above ground level, impacted a bird.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was a Boeing 737-8U3, owned and operated by FB Líneas Aéreas S.A. The maximum design weight (PMD) was between 27,001 and 272,000 kg. The flight carried 6 crew members and 147 passengers, totaling 153 occupants on board. No injuries—mortal, serious, or minor—were reported among crew, passengers, or others.
Flight Sequence
After the bird strike, the flight crew continued the flight to El Calafate, which had a scheduled duration of 3 hours 35 minutes. Upon landing, the crew inspected the aircraft and observed damage to the radome. Based on that inspection, they decided not to proceed with the return leg of the itinerary.
Damage and Meteorological Conditions
The aircraft sustained minor damage. The flight operated under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The incident location coordinates were 34° 49' 20″ S, 58° 32' 09″ W.
Additional Information
This report contains preliminary data collected by the Junta de Seguridad en el Transporte (JST) and is subject to modification as the investigation progresses.