# NTSB WPR10LA044: Mcdonnell Douglas MD-90-30, N909DA, Phoenix, AZ, November 2, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 2, 2009, 08:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.434165, -112.01139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4342&lon=-112.0114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 70 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74997 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74997/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74997 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA044 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with birds. ## 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 operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-90-30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=3023690), [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. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-90-30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=3023690), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight crew reported that during climb to cruise they heard a loud bang, followed by a "pop" in the pressurization and loud noise within the cockpit. The first officer stated that prior to the loud bang he observed "several black dots" directly in front of him. The flight crew declared an emergency and diverted to their departure airport, where they landed uneventfully. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed an approximately 18 inch by 21 inch tear in fuselage skin located aft of the right side flight deck eyebrow window and structural damage to the upper portion of the fuselage. Bird residue and feathers were observed near the torn area of fuselage skin. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Feather Identification Laboratory performed DNA analysis, microscopic examination, and whole feather comparisons with museum study skins on the recovered residue and feathers. The analysis identified the residue and feathers as the remains of a Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis). The weight range for the species complex is recorded from 906 to 1,429 grams, with an average weight of 3.3 pounds. ## Factual narrative On November 2, 2009, about 0850 mountain standard time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30, N909DA, was substantially damaged following an in-flight collision with birds during climb to cruise flight 25 miles northeast of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Phoenix, Arizona. The airplane was registered to and operated by Delta Airlines Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as flight 1232. The airline transport rated captain and first officer, three cabin attendants, and 65 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the scheduled passenger flight. The cross-country flight originated from PHX at 0841 with an intended destination of Salt Lake City, Utah. The captain reported that while climbing through about 12,000 feet, he heard a large bang with a "pop" in the pressurization. Subsequently, the captain noticed that the noise level was very loud within the cockpit. After a brief discussion with the first officer, the flight crew "decided it was a bird strike." The first officer reported that prior to the loud bang; he noticed "several black dots directly ahead of me." The flight crew declared an emergency and returned to PHX. The flight landed uneventfully about 10 minutes later. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed an approximate 18 inch by 21 inch tear in fuselage skin located aft of the right side flight deck eyebrow window and structural damage to the upper portion of the fuselage. Bird residue and feathers were observed near the torn area of fuselage skin. Additional damage and bird residue was noted on the lower right side of fuselage. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Feather Identification Laboratory performed DNS analysis, microscopic examination, and whole feather comparisons with museum study skins on the recovered residue and feathers. The analysis identified the residue and feathers as the remains of a Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis). The weight range for the species complex is recorded from 906 to 1429 grams, with an average weight of 3.3 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N909DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N909DA-2022-12-30), registration cancelled 2022-12-30, S/N 53389, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MD-90-30 - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-90-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-md-90-30) (registry code 3023690) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [IAE V2500SERIES](https://openairdocs.org/engine/iae-v2500series) (registry code 34601, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 53389 - Airframe hours: 38842 - Engines: IAE V2500SERIES turbo jet; IAE V2500SERIES turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Delta Air Lines Inc - Registered owner: Delta Air Lines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 31, 2009 - Departed: PHX, Phoenix, AZ - Destination: SLC, Salt Lake City, UT - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 11,178 total, 2,870 in this make and model, 149 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 24, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 2,182 total, 1,952 in this make and model, 113 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: PHX, 23 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 20091102022489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091102022489A), Nov 2, 2009: Doug MD9030, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. During climb-out at kphx, and at about 12,000', the flight crew heard a very large bang and a pop in the pressurization. The crew declared an emergency and… ## Other investigations on N909DA (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 DEN01IA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01IA036), Dec 30, 2000: McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 (N909DA), Salt Lake City, UT, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: the captain's failure to maintain the proper glide path. Contributing factors were the weather conditions that included low visibility and fog. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74997. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 890 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Feather Identification Laboratory Identification Report (item 2, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321604&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Smithsonian%20National%20Museum%20of%20Natural%20History%20Feather%20Identification%20Laboratory%20Identification%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: View of the upper fuselage damage (Courtesy of Delta Airlines Inc.) (item 3, .PDF, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20the%20upper%20fuselage%20damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20Delta%20Airlines%20Inc.)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: View of the upper fuselage damage (Courtesy of Delta Airlines Inc.) (item 4, .PDF, 522 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20View%20of%20the%20upper%20fuselage%20damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20Delta%20Airlines%20Inc.)-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.