# NTSB DCA12CA043: Airbus Industrie A320 211, N331NW, Minneapolis, MN, November 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 10, 2011, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Minneapolis, MN - Coordinates: 44.867778, -93.226669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8678&lon=-93.2267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 150 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 82961 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA12CA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82961/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82961 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12CA043 ## Probable cause In-flight collision with birds during initial climb, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A320-211, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=3930320), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A320-211, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=3930320), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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. Photo of bird strike to radome Photo of Bird strike damage to right engine Photo of bird strike damage to E and E bay Photo of bird recovered from E and E bay ## Aircraft - Registration: [N331NW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N331NW-2025-04-30), registration cancelled 2025-04-30, S/N 318, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320 211 (211) - Registry model: [Airbus Industrie A320-211](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-industrie-a320-211) (registry code 3930320) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 318 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 59784 - Engines: CFM INTL. CFM-56-5A1 25000 lbs thrust turbo fan; CFM INTL. CFM-56-5A1/F 25000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Delta Air Lines Inc - Registered owner: Delta Air Lines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: AAIP, October 22, 2011 - Departed: KMSP, Minneapolis, MN - Destination: RNO, RENO, NV - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KMSP, Minneapolis-St Paul Intl/Wold-, runway 30R, 8,200 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review June 29, 2011; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 13,191 total, 6,307 in this make and model, 154 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 49; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review April 28, 2011; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 8,154 total, 5,553 in this make and model, 128 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Cabin crew; injuries: none; seat: rear - Cabin crew; injuries: none; seat: rear - Cabin crew; injuries: none; seat: rear ## Weather - Conditions: Day - Wind: 300° at 11 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KMSP ## Other investigations on N331NW (3) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CHI08IA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08IA022), Oct 21, 2007: Airbus Industrie A320-211 (N331NW), Fargo, ND, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: The failure of the Brake and Steering Control Unit, which allowed the nose landing gear to turn to the 90-degree position. - [NTSB CHI95IA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95IA342), Apr 28, 1995: Airbus Industrie A320-211 (N331NW), Minneapolis, MN, incident, no damage. Probable cause: inadequate design of the fly-by-wire flight control system which allowed false signals from the sidestick transducer units to generate uncommanded rolls. - [NTSB CHI95IA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95IA138), Apr 27, 1995: Airbus Industrie A320-211 (N331NW), Washington, DC, incident, no damage. Probable cause: the pilot's excessive use of the flight controls during the landing approach, the company's disregard of information provided by the airplane manufacturer, and the company's failure to identify a… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 14, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82961. 3.8 MB in all. - Flight Data Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report (item 1, .PDF, 295 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465851&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Data%20Recorder%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Flight Data Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report Attachment 1 - Tabular Data (item 2, .CSV, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465852&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Flight%20Data%20Recorder%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report%20Attachment%201%20-%20Tabular%20Data-Master.csv - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 3, .PDF, 254 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465853&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465854&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FO Statement (item 5, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465855&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FO%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Bird Impact Damage to the Radome of the Airplane (item 6, .PDF, 1 photo, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465856&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Bird%20Impact%20Damage%20to%20the%20Radome%20of%20the%20Airplane-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Bird Retrieved from Impact Area (item 7, .PDF, 1 photo, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465857&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Bird%20Retrieved%20from%20Impact%20Area-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Bird Impact Damage to Right Engine (item 8, .PDF, 1 photo, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465858&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Bird%20Impact%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Engine-Master.PDF - Cockpit Voice Recorder Factual Report (item 9, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465859&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cockpit%20Voice%20Recorder%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.