Flight AV-1663 | Registration: HC-CJV
Date: 31 March 2025 | Location: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Introduction
On 31 March 2025, an Avianca Ecuador Airbus A320-200, registration HC-CJV, operating scheduled flight AV-1663 from José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (SEGU), Guayaquil, to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (SEQM), Quito, experienced a bird strike shortly after take-off. The aircraft was carrying 83 passengers and 6 crew.
The crew stopped the climb at approximately 11,000 feet and elected to return to Guayaquil as a safety precaution. The aircraft landed without further incident on runway 21 approximately 25 minutes after departure.
Flight Details
• Aircraft Type: Airbus A320-214
• Engines: 2 × CFM56-5B4/3
• Operator: Avianca Ecuador
• Tail Number: HC-CJV
• Flight Number: AV-1663
• Route: Guayaquil (SEGU) to Quito (SEQM)
• Date of Incident: 31 March 2025
• Phase of Flight: Initial climb
• Altitude at Time of Bird Strike: ~11,000 feet
• Runway Used for Takeoff & Landing: Runway 21
• Occupants: 89 (83 passengers + 6 crew)
• Time to Landing After Takeoff: ~25 minutes
• Aircraft Ground Time Post-Incident: ~37 hours (as of 2 April 2025)
Sequence of Events
Takeoff and Climb
Flight AV-1663 departed from runway 21 at Guayaquil around midday local time, climbing through 11,000 feet when the crew reported a suspected bird strike. The impact was either visually confirmed or indicated by engine or airframe noise, vibration, or warning systems.
Decision to Return
Although there were no immediate system warnings suggesting major engine or structural issues, the flight crew made the prudent decision to return to Guayaquil to ensure the aircraft had not sustained any damage. The aircraft initiated a standard return profile and was vectored back for approach.
Landing and Inspection
The aircraft landed safely on runway 21 approximately 25 minutes after departure. There were no injuries reported. After vacating the runway, the aircraft was held for inspection by ground crews and maintenance technicians.
A thorough post-flight examination was initiated to assess for potential damage to the engines, wings, nose, or other exposed surfaces. The aircraft has remained on the ground for further evaluation and any necessary repairs.
Technical and Operational Considerations
Bird Strike Risk
Guayaquil, located near water and urban areas, is subject to elevated bird strike risk, especially during morning and late afternoon hours. Migratory and scavenger bird activity near airport environments poses a recognised threat to flight safety.
Aircraft Resilience
The Airbus A320 is certified to withstand bird strikes in accordance with international airworthiness standards. However, depending on the size and number of birds, even a single strike can result in ingestion into an engine, structural damage, or sensor malfunction.
Standard Procedures
Following a suspected bird strike, airline protocol typically involves:
• Leveling off to prevent further stress on affected systems
• Communicating with ATC and declaring a return
• Running the applicable checklists for bird strike or engine vibration
• Conducting a low-energy, stabilised approach for inspection and landing
The crew of AV-1663 followed all standard protocols in line with international operating procedures and manufacturer guidance.
Aftermath and Aircraft Status
• Passenger Impact: Passengers were safely disembarked and rebooked on later flights.
• Replacement Aircraft: A substitute aircraft is expected to operate the subsequent rotation pending confirmation of damage extent.
• Maintenance Actions: Initial reports suggest the aircraft remains grounded pending completion of inspections and any necessary component replacements, such as engine fan blade checks or radome repairs.
Safety and Regulatory Response
There has been no formal classification of the incident as an accident or serious incident by the Ecuadorian Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC), though a routine occurrence report is expected to be filed.
Avianca has notified the relevant safety bodies, and internal maintenance and safety investigations are underway.
Summary
This incident serves as another reminder of the persistent risks posed by bird activity in and around airports. Although no injuries occurred and the aircraft landed safely, the interruption highlights the importance of flight crew vigilance and the robustness of standard response protocols to bird strike scenarios.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and operational data as of 2 April 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, details may evolve as the investigation progresses. If you are the rightful owner of any content or wish for it to be removed, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.
