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December 22, 2019 · Boeing 737 7BD · N7739A

Kansas City, MO

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 22, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (141 uninjured)
Location
Kansas City, MO
Aircraft
Boeing 737 7BD (2006)
Tail Number
N7739A
Operator
Southwest Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA20CA050

On December 21, 2019, at approximately 2020 central standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 5246, a B737-700, registration N7739A, struck a bird while descending to Kansas City International Airport (KMCI), Kansas City, Missouri. There were no injuries to the 5 crew members and 136 passengers onboard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Ronald Reagan National Airport (KDCA), Arlington, Virginia, to KMCI. According to the flight crew, the airplane was on the downwind leg for arrival on runway 19R at KMCI. As the airplane was descending through 10,000 feet-msl altitude, the flight crew noticed a white object go through the landing lights and heard a loud bang from the from fuselage below their feet. The flight crew checked engine parameters for any anomalies and the airplane for any damage, and none was found. The flight landed uneventfully, and post flight inspection of the airplane revealed evidence of a bird strike and dents in the lower right fuselage skin. Further inspection revealed two internal frames were bent and fractured.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Fuselage-Longerons/stringers (main fus)-Damaged/degraded

Full Narrative

On December 21, 2019, at approximately 2020 central standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 5246, a B737-700, registration N7739A, struck a bird while descending to Kansas City International Airport (KMCI), Kansas City, Missouri. There were no injuries to the 5 crew members and 136 passengers onboard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Ronald Reagan National Airport (KDCA), Arlington, Virginia, to KMCI. According to the flight crew, the airplane was on the downwind leg for arrival on runway 19R at KMCI. As the airplane was descending through 10,000 feet-msl altitude, the flight crew noticed a white object go through the landing lights and heard a loud bang from the from fuselage below their feet. The flight crew checked engine parameters for any anomalies and the airplane for any damage, and none was found. The flight landed uneventfully, and post flight inspection of the airplane revealed evidence of a bird strike and dents in the lower right fuselage skin. Further inspection revealed two internal frames were bent and fractured.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:19 CST
Nearest AirportKansas City Intl (16nm SE)
Runway19
Runway Length10801 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737 7BD
Tail NumberN7739A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSouthwest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsCfm Intl · CFM56-7B24 · Turbofan · 24000 | Cfm Intl · CFM56-7B24 · Turbofan · 24000
Seats151

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (141 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured141
Total141
Crew 1Age 57 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 38 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind200° @ 6 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 36 C
Altimeter30.28 inHg
Observation Time01:53

Appendix: Source Data