AVIATION/ NTSB UPDATES ON FRONTIER FL820

The NTSB has released its factual report into an incident involving a FRONTIER AIRLINES A319 on November 14, 2009. On that date, Flight 820 was on Domestic Service from Kansas City, Missouri, to Denver, Colorado, with 125 passengers and 5 crew members onboard. The aircraft had to make an emergency return to Kansas City after suffering a multiple bird strike to both engines while on its initial climbout. The A319 landed back at Kansas City without incident, even though both engines were damaged in the bird strike. The NTSB report states that the aircraft struck 6 or 7 birds while climbing thru 4200 feet. The right hand engine down to idle. The crew attempted to advance the throttle lever, however there were a number of compressor stalls. The crew had no choice but to shut the engine down, declare an emergency, and return to Kansas City. Both engines suffered damage in the bird strike, however the right hand engine damage was more extensive. The bird remains were identified as snow geese, with an average weight of 5.3lbs. The investigation continues.