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Report and Analysis of Hainan Airlines Flight HU438 Bird Strike Incident

On Sunday, November 10, 2024, Hainan Airlines flight HU438, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registered as B-1119, encountered an Incident shortly after taking off from Roma-Fiumicino Airport (FCO/LIRF).

The aircraft, manufactured in 2018, was on a scheduled passenger flight to Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX/ZGSZ) when it suffered a bird strike during the initial climb phase.

Briefing

  • Date: Sunday, 10 November 2024
  • Time: 09:12 UTC
  • Aircraft Type: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
  • Operator: Hainan Airlines
  • Aircraft Registration: B-1119
  • MSN (Manufacturer Serial Number): 64968/747
  • Year of Manufacture: 2018
  • Location: Roma-Fiumicino Airport (FCO/LIRF), Italy
  • Phase of Flight: Initial climb
  • Nature of Flight: Passenger - Scheduled
  • Departure Airport: Roma-Fiumicino Airport (FCO/LIRF)
  • Destination Airport: Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX/ZGSZ)
  • Fatalities: 0
  • Other Fatalities: 0
  • Aircraft Damage: Unknown

Incident Details

The incident began at approximately 09:12 UTC when the aircraft, operating from runway 16R, experienced a bird strike that led to surges in the no.2 engine. The flight crew, adhering to safety protocols, promptly assessed the situation and decided to enter a holding pattern over a nearby body of water to ensure stability and conduct further evaluations. After holding for approximately 54 minutes, the crew successfully returned the aircraft to Roma-Fiumicino Airport for a safe landing.

The flight crew's prompt response to the engine surges and the decision to enter a holding pattern were critical in ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew on board. No injuries were reported among the occupants or to individuals on the ground. The number of passengers on the flight has not been disclosed at this time, and the extent of damage to the aircraft remains unknown.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a wide-body jet known for its efficiency and advanced technology, is a highly reliable model in commercial aviation. Hainan Airlines has been operating this specific aircraft, with MSN 64968/747, since its manufacture in 2018. The B-1119 aircraft has been part of the airline's long-haul fleet, serving international routes with an emphasis on connectivity between Asia and Europe.

Hainan Airlines and aviation authorities are expected to conduct a detailed investigation to assess the full impact of the bird strike and evaluate the condition of the no.2 engine and other related systems. As of now, the incident is categorized as an "Incident" due to the absence of injuries or significant external damage reports.

Passengers on board HU438 were reportedly accommodated following the incident, and alternate travel arrangements were provided where necessary. The aviation community and regulatory bodies continue to highlight the importance of robust bird strike management systems at and around airports to prevent similar occurrences.


Why Choosing to enter a holding pattern instead of landing immediately

Is a critical decision made by pilots for safety and operational reasons. Here are the primary considerations behind this choice:

1. Assessment of Engine Condition

After experiencing the bird strike and subsequent engine surge, the flight crew likely needed time to thoroughly assess the extent of the damage and performance of the affected no.2 engine. Entering a holding pattern allows pilots to:

  • Analyze engine readings and performance.
  • Communicate with maintenance teams and air traffic control.
  • Determine if the engine is stable enough for a safe approach and landing.

2. Fuel Management

Holding over a safe area, especially over water or open space, ensures that the aircraft is in a controlled environment to burn excess fuel if needed. This is crucial for two reasons:

  • Weight considerations: Aircraft often take off with more fuel than is ideal for immediate landing. Burning off fuel reduces landing weight to be within safe operational limits.
  • Stability: The aircraft needs to be light enough to minimize stress on the landing gear and airframe during touchdown.

3. Time to Prepare for Landing

  • Entering a holding pattern gives the crew more time to:
  • Configure the aircraft for landing under non-standard conditions (e.g., one engine potentially inoperative).
  • Coordinate with emergency response teams on the ground.
  • Inform passengers and cabin crew, ensuring safety protocols are in place and everyone on board is prepared for a potentially abnormal landing.

4. Ensuring Safe Runway Availability

The decision to delay the landing might also be influenced by airport operations. The flight crew and air traffic control may need to coordinate to ensure the most suitable runway is available for a safe landing. This could involve clearing the runway of other traffic and ensuring emergency services are ready.

5. Mitigating Further Risk

Circling in a holding pattern over water or an open area minimizes potential risks if the situation deteriorates. If an engine failure were to become severe or result in a fire, being over open space provides more safe options for managing an emergency descent or approach.

Conclusion

The choice to enter a holding pattern rather than landing immediately is a precautionary and strategic measure. It allows the crew to ensure the situation is under control, maintain safety margins, and manage the aircraft’s weight and systems for an optimal and safe landing.

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Confidence Rating

The information provided is based on news reports and social media sources, which may not always be fully verified. This analysis is a self-effort and does not reflect official statements or conclusions. As such, the confidence rating for this data is considered unofficial and subject to further investigation.

Hashtags

#HainanAirlines #FlightHU438 #AviationSafety #BirdStrike #EmergencyLanding #Boeing787 #AviationNews #RomaFiumicino #AircraftIncident #PilotDecision #AirSafety #EngineSurge #AviationResponse #TravelSafety #FlightIncident

#AirspaceNews #Airspace_News #Airspase #News #AviationNews #AviationAccident #AviationNews #AirSafety #AviationAnalysis #Aviation

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Location: Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO), via dell'Airport di Fiumicino 320, 00054 Fiumicino RM, Italy

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