Airbus A320 211 N331NW

Summary

On 10 November 2011 at about 17:45 local time, a Airbus A320 211 registered N331NW, operated by Delta Air Lines Inc, was involved in an accident near Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. 150 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 November 2011 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Nearest airport

Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold- (KMSP)

Coordinates

44.8678, -93.2267

Aircraft

Airbus A320 211

Registration

N331NW

Category

Airplane

Year built

1992

Engines

2

Operator

Delta Air Lines Inc

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Minneapolis → Reno

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

Unk

Light

Day

NTSB number

DCA12CA043

Nobody was injured.

In-flight collision with birds during initial climb, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

On November 10, 2011, at about 1157 central standard time, Delta flight 1691, an A320-211, N331NW, experienced a bird strike during initial climb after departure from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (KMSP), Minneapolis, Minnesota.  There were no injuries to the 150 passengers and crewmembers onboard and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The flight was operating as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 regularly scheduled passenger flight from KMSP to Reno–Tahoe International Airport (KRNO), Reno, Nevada. According to the flight crew, a flock of "50-100" large white birds, possibly geese, appeared in front of the airplane during initial climb.  The first officer, who was the pilot flying,  increased the rate of climb to attempt to avoid the flock, but at least one bird made impacted the aircraft. After striking the bird, the flight crew received an Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor message for loss of cabin pressure and the right side airspeed indication became erratic. The flight crew declared an emergency and made an uneventful landing back at KMSP. Examination of the aircraft after landing revealed substantial damage to the forward pressure bulkhead and minor damage to the right engine. 

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.