Incident Overview
Description
The aircraft suffered a bird strike shortly after take off from Shannon, Ireland, which caused severe damage to the No. 1 (left) engine and caused some large nacelle components to separate from the engine. These parts struck and damaged the left inboard aileron and flap before falling to the ground. The aircraft diverted to London Heathrow for inspection and repair. (Hence the involvement of the UK AAIB in what was otherwise an “Irish” air accident) Whilst ATC written procedures specify that aircraft in emergency should preferably not be routed over densely populated areas, the commander of the aircraft was not advised of this procedure and the approach to London Heathrow Airport from the east took his aircraft over densely populated urban areas. The aircraft was intending to fly from Shannon, Ireland to Luis Mu¤oz Mar¡n International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico, before the accident forced it to divert to London Heathrow. Damage sustained to airframe: Per the AAIB report: “No 1 engine damaged beyond economic repair. Impact damage from engine nacelle components to port inboard aileron and flap. Pylon web cracked.”
Source of Information
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422ed87ed915d137100017d/dft_avsafety_pdf_502300.pdf, http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?omni=Home-N-Number&nNumberTxt=601GC, https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/McDonnell-Douglas/DC-10/47921/N601GC-Gemini-Air-Cargo, https://www.planelogger.com/Aircraft/Registration/N601GC/652103?seo=DC-10-30_Gemini%20Air%20Cargo, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AGemini_Air_Cargo_McDonnell_Douglas_DC-10-30F(AF)_(N601GC_47921_117)_(5047595760).jpghttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422ed87ed915d137100017d/dft_avsafety_pdf_502300.pdf, http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?omni=Home-N-Number&nNumberTxt=601GC, https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/McDonnell-Douglas/DC-10/47921/N601GC-Gemini-Air-Cargo, https://www.planelogger.com/Aircraft/Registration/N601GC/652103?seo=DC-10-30_Gemini%20Air%20Cargo, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AGemini_Air_Cargo_McDonnell_Douglas_DC-10-30F(AF)_(N601GC_47921_117)_(5047595760).jpgPrimary Cause
Bird strike caused significant damage to the aircraft’s engine and nacelle components.Bird strike caused significant damage to the aircraft’s engine and nacelle components.Share on:
