Date: December 15, 2024
Location: Muara Bungo Airport, Indonesia
Aircraft: Boeing 737-500, registration PK-NAS
Operator: Nam Air
Flight Number: IN-91
Route: Muara Bungo (Indonesia) to Jakarta (Indonesia)
Occupants: 119 passengers and crew
Injuries: None reported
Summary of Events
On December 15, 2024, Nam Air Flight IN-91, a Boeing 737-500 en route from Muara Bungo to Jakarta, encountered a bird strike shortly after departing from runway 31 at Muara Bungo Airport. A bird was ingested into one of the aircraft’s CFM56 engines, causing damage to the fan blades. Despite the incident, the crew managed to continue climbing but leveled off at FL190. The crew subsequently decided to divert to Palembang’s Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport, where the aircraft landed safely on runway 29 approximately 40 minutes after departure.
Aircraft Details
• Type: Boeing 737-500
• Registration: PK-NAS
• Engines: 2x CFM56-3
Sequence of Events
1. Departure:
• The aircraft took off from Muara Bungo’s runway 31 as scheduled.
• Shortly after takeoff, a bird was ingested into the engine, leading to vibration and abnormal indications.
2. Climb and Assessment:
• The crew continued the climb to FL190, during which they assessed the engine performance and overall situation.
• The decision was made to divert for precautionary reasons.
3. Diversion to Palembang:
• The flight was diverted to Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport.
• The aircraft landed safely on runway 29, and all occupants disembarked without incident.
4. Damage Assessment:
• Upon inspection, fan blades in one of the CFM56 engines were found to be damaged due to the bird strike.
Initial Findings
1. Engine Damage:
• The ingested bird caused physical damage to the fan blades, necessitating repairs before the aircraft could return to service.
2. Crew Response:
• The crew’s prompt decision-making and adherence to safety protocols ensured a safe outcome.
3. Runway Conditions:
• The incident highlights the persistent risks of bird activity near airports in certain regions.
Safety Risks Identified
1. Wildlife Hazards:
• Bird strikes remain a significant risk, particularly for airports in areas with high wildlife activity.
2. Engine Reliability:
• Although the CFM56 is designed to handle foreign object ingestion to an extent, the incident underscores the need for regular inspections and maintenance.
3. Operational Delays:
• The damaged engine resulted in a delay of approximately 32 hours before the aircraft could return to service.
Recommendations
1. Wildlife Management:
• Strengthen wildlife hazard management programs at Muara Bungo Airport, including habitat modification and bird control measures.
2. Engine Inspections:
• Conduct thorough inspections of the damaged engine and implement additional preventive maintenance checks for the fleet.
3. Pilot Training:
• Reinforce training on bird strike scenarios, focusing on immediate actions and decision-making during critical phases of flight.
4. Airport Awareness:
• Increase collaboration between airport authorities and airlines to mitigate bird strike risks through advanced detection systems and real-time communication.
Safety Lessons
This incident highlights the importance of wildlife hazard management at airports and the critical role of crew training and decision-making in ensuring flight safety. The safe outcome of this event demonstrates the robustness of established emergency protocols and aircraft systems.
Disclaimer
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Our investigation reports are based on all the evidence and facts we have at the time of writing and posting. We apologise if any details are missed or are not fully accurate.
