Introduction
On 22 March 2025, a United Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration N457UA, operating flight UA-671 from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), experienced multiple bird strikes during landing on runway 07 at Santa Barbara. The aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate under its own power. A post-flight inspection revealed that 15 small birds had been ingested into the right engine, causing engine damage.
The aircraft was taken out of service for inspection and maintenance and returned to operational status approximately 15 hours later.
Flight & Aircraft Information
• Aircraft Type: Airbus A320-232
• Operator: United Airlines
• Registration: N457UA
• Engines: 2 × CFM56-5B4/P
• Flight Number: UA-671
• Route: Denver International (DEN/KDEN) → Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA/KSBA)
• Date: 22 March 2025
• Occupants: 156 (150 passengers, 6 crew)
• Runway Used for Landing: RWY 07
• Weather Conditions: Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC)
• Injuries: None
• Damage: Confirmed to right engine (bird ingestion)
Sequence of Events
1. Arrival at Santa Barbara
• The Airbus A320 approached Santa Barbara Municipal Airport in normal weather conditions.
• The aircraft was on final approach to runway 07.
2. Bird Strike During Landing
• During the landing roll, the crew reported multiple bird strikes.
• Despite the strikes, the aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate without further incident.
• The flight crew notified air traffic control and company operations of the suspected bird strike event.
3. Post-Landing Inspection
• A thorough ground inspection was conducted.
• Maintenance teams discovered that 15 small birds had been ingested into the right-hand engine.
• Visual and borescope inspections confirmed damage to the engine’s internal components, including potential blade scoring and ingestion residue.
Technical & Environmental Considerations
• Bird Ingestion Hazards
• Jet engines are tested to withstand bird ingestion within certification limits; however, multiple bird ingestions can exceed tolerances.
• The CFM56-5B4/P engine is designed with containment measures to reduce risk during such events.
• Airport Wildlife Risk
• Santa Barbara Airport is located near coastal wetlands and open landscapes, areas known for migratory and native bird populations.
• It is unclear whether any bird control measures or wildlife hazard assessments were in effect at the time of landing.
• Environmental Conditions (METAR)KSBA 222253Z 27006KT 10SM CLR 16/09 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP186
• Winds: 270° at 6 knots
• Visibility: 10 statute miles
• Sky Condition: Clear
• Temperature: 16°C
• Dew Point: 9°C
• Pressure: 30.07 inHg
Maintenance & Operational Outcome
• Maintenance Actions Taken:
• The right engine was taken out of service for internal inspection and cleaning.
• Bird remains were removed and engine components checked for balance and wear.
• No evidence of compressor stall or in-flight performance degradation was reported.
• Aircraft Downtime:
• The aircraft remained on the ground for approximately 15 hours.
• It was cleared for return to service following standard engine wash, inspection, and operational testing.
• Passenger & Crew Safety:
• No injuries were reported.
• There was no emergency declared, and the aircraft maintained full control throughout the incident.
Conclusion
On 22 March 2025, United Airlines flight UA-671, operated by an Airbus A320 (N457UA), encountered multiple bird strikes on landing at Santa Barbara Airport, resulting in the ingestion of 15 birds into the right engine. The aircraft landed safely, and no injuries occurred. The aircraft was temporarily removed from service for inspection and was returned to operational status within 15 hours. The incident highlights the persistent wildlife hazard at airports and the need for robust bird control programmes.
Disclaimer
This report is based on publicly available information as of 24 March 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the details provided, they are subject to change pending further investigation. If you are the lawful owner of any content referenced and wish to request its removal, please contact takedown@cockpitking.com.
