# NTSB MIA02LA023: Boeing 727-233, N277FE, Memphis, TN, November 20, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 20, 2001, 00:27 local (06:27 UTC) - Place: Memphis, TN - Coordinates: 35.059444, -90.083053 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0594&lon=-90.0831&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53824 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA02LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53824/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA023 ## Probable cause The inadvertent collision with birds while on final approach to land resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr) - object - bird(s) - miscellaneous - inadvertent (cause) ## Analysis The flightcrew reported that while on final approach for runway 9 at Memphis, at between 1,700 and 2,000 feet agl, at 250 knots, they encountered a flock of large birds. A bird penetrated the airplane under the captains windshield and bird remains entered the cockpit. They continued to Memphis and landed without further incident. Inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector after landing showed damage to the area below the captain's windshield and two areas of damage on the right inboard wing area, due to bird strikes. Radar data from the FAA, Memphis Air Route Traffic Control Center, showed the flight was at about position 35 degrees, 3 minutes, 34 seconds North latitude, and 90 degrees, 4 minutes, 59 seconds West longitude, or about 6 nautical miles west of Memphis International Airport, at the time of the encounter. The FAA, Memphis Approach Control, personnel stated that the Automatic Terminal Information Service, information Romeo was in effect at the time of the accident which contained the 2353 surface weather observation, and that there was no bird activity reported in this information. Examination of feathers recovered from the cockpit and wing area of the aircraft was performed by personnel at The Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C. The feathers were identified as coming from a Snow Goose, with an average weight for this species of 2,450 grams. ## Factual narrative On November 20, 2001, about 0027 central standard time, a Boeing 727-233, N277FE, registered to and operated by Federal Express Corporation, as flight 2287, a 14 CFR Part 121 domestic cargo flight from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Memphis, Tennessee, collided with a flock of birds while on approach to land at Memphis International Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage, and the airline transport-rated captain, first officer, flight engineer, and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Colorado Springs, on November 19, 2001, at 2247. The flightcrew reported that while on final approach for runway 9 at Memphis, at between 1,700 and 2,000 feet agl., at 250 knots, they encountered a flock of large birds. A bird penetrated the airplane under the captains windshield and bird remains entered the cockpit. They continued to Memphis and landed without further incident. Inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector after landing showed damage to the area below the captain's windshield and two areas of damage on the right inboard wing area, due to bird strikes. Radar data from the FAA, Memphis Air Route Traffic Control Center, showed the flight was at about position 35 degrees, 3 minutes, 34 seconds North latitude, and 90 degrees, 4 minutes, 59 seconds West longitude, or about 6 nautical miles west of Memphis International Airport, at the time of the encounter. The FAA, Memphis Approach Control, personnel stated that the Automatic Terminal Information Service, information Romeo was in effect at the time of the accident which contained the 2353 surface weather observation, and that there was no bird activity reported in this information. (See attached Radar Data and Record of Telephone Conversation.) Examination of feathers recovered from the cockpit and wing area of the aircraft was performed by Carla Dove, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C. The feathers were identified as coming from Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens), with an average weight for this species of 2,450 grams. (See attached email from Carla Dove.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N277FE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N277FE-2015-08-10), registration cancelled 2015-08-10, S/N 22042, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing 727-233 - Registry model: [Boeing 727-233](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-233) (registry code 138408A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-15](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-15) (registry code 52051, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22042 - Airframe hours: 36168 - Engines: P&W JT8-17Q 16000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Federal Express Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: AAIP, August 18, 2001, 188 hours before - Departed: COS, Colorado Spring, CO - Destination: MEM, Memphis, TN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MEM, Memphis International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 12, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 2,280 total, 2,280 in this make and model, 490 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 54; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 19, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 1,285 total, 1,285 in this make and model, 96 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Flight engineer; age 33; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 497 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 10° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 6 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20011120034499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011120034499A), Nov 20, 2001: Boeing 727233, Memphis, TN, No damage. (-23) Pilot statement: at 2000 MSL while turning final we encountered a flock of 20+/- large birds. Aircraft was clean configuration and 250 KTS just about on… ## Other investigations on N277FE (1) 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 NYC01IA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01IA134), May 25, 2001: Boeing 727-233 (N277FE), Harrisburg, PA, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: The inadvertent misrouting of a wire harness by maintenance personnel, which resulted in chafing to a hydraulic line and electrical wire, and subsequent fire. 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.