Aer Lingus A330 Multiple BIRD STRIKES on Take Off - Engine Damage & Overweight landing

Aer Lingus Airbus A330 from Dublin to Chicago was just about to get airborne when the aircraft went through a flock of birds, damaging right hand engine, causing significant engine vibrations. You can hear the pilots varying the thrust setting after take off to sort out the issue. The pilots planned a long 15 miles final Runway 28L back in Dublin and an overweight landing using the full length of the runway, and declared an emergency (PANPAN). Idle reverse to reduce vibrations. Notice the emergency vehicles waiting after landing. The pilots asked ATC to pay attention to the brakes after landing due to the aircraft being over Maximum Landing Weight (MLW).
Kudos to the flight crew, ATC and surrounding traffic for their professionalism.
FAQ
Flight: EI123
Origin: Dublin (DUB-EIDW)
Destinations: Chicago O'Hare (ORD-KORD)
Flight time: 30min
Aircraft: Airbus A330-302
Registration: EI-EIK
Seat: 11K
Flight date: 13 April 2023
Filmed with Sony FDR-AX53
Thanks a lot for watching!
The Flying Frenchman, 2023

[@lorrie4661]

That pilot’s announcement was so calming. Truly professional

[@sqwk2559]

It’s pretty straightforward really.

[@JustAvation_Ireland]

That pilot was my god Father He handles it perfectly

[@58biggles]

Why are you so surprised?

[@speed150mph]

Yeah, it’s never a good sign when your A330 stops sounding like an A330 and starts sounding like a B-17.

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Indeed 😂😂😂

[@ramyfares9099]

That’s why I don’t like GE CF6 powered A330s like this one, I prefer RR Trent 700 powered ones like Lufthansa, Swiss, SAS

[@Roboseal2]

I have never liked the CF6 for the A330. Frist of all it has the least thrust for the a330 Second of all it consumes oil very quickly third of all it is the least efficient of the 3 engines for the a330 and lastly, it does not handle bird strikes and compressor stalls well at all. One compressor stall and boom its gonna need lots of repairs.@@ramyfares9099

[@BudKingUK]

Even worse when it stops sounding like a B-17 and starts sounding like a glider.

[@sebastiannielson1952]

@@ramyfares9099 that isn't a Cf6. It's a pw4000

[@Sgt_Bill_T_Co]

Always a relief when a plane lands safely after an incident.

[@gingersmedia]

anyone else notice AF1 in the background conveniently timed at 7:47?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Good catch, I did not even pay attention to the timing 😅

[@Droladnap]

Came to the comment section to see if anyone else caught it also!

[@missyandjoey]

I was about to make the same Comment lol ❤️✈️

[@viperq]

yes

[@wafflesandcarolina9344]

FJB

[@AdrianBorreg123]

I were taking care of this aircraft as an aircraft mechanic when it was stored at Ciudad Real airport during the Covid 19 pandemic. Very reliable aicraft and engines

[@Kayshots]

​@@billb7876 exact

[@incandescentwithrage]

@@billb7876 Those birds had more going on upstairs than you

[@Pstaines439]

@@incandescentwithrage even after the strike

[@Francisco_CS]

​@Not XiJing Ping Nooo!!! They were hit? Hope all the members of the band are ok...

[@Derek-xr3uq]

@@Francisco_CS luckily they unscathed after they ran, they ran so far away from the runway

[@lucaas]

Wow, what a catch! Would you be okay with me featuring this in a Weekly Dose of Aviation episode? Of course you will be credited in the video and in the description.

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Hi, thanks for asking! Sure, no problem 😉

[@VideoManDan]

Came here from your channel. I wanted to see the full video.

[@NosoyJoseph]

Luckly no one was injured

[@MisterIvyMike]

​@@NosoyJoseph What about the poor lovely birds?

[@trunkmonkey9417]

@@NosoyJoseph Epic, Lucaas! LOL

[@IrishDave]

I was on this flight. Great job capturing it.

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Thank you 😉

[@Mickytdi]

If Father Jack was on that plane he would be saying “Feckin’ birds”

[@andyfletcher7535]

Then drink

[@Wellthatsjustcheese]

BIRDS !! FECK OFF !!

[@peterfinn6098]

Feckin birds again, yeah still my favourite TV show after all these years, love it. Bless him. Father Jack would jump out with his parachute and with the drinks trolley

[@martinross5521]

And drinking furniture polish after the safe landing. Was this when Father Ted tried to go to America?

[@andyfletcher7535]

@Martin Ross no . All the priests was on it coming back from convention or something

[@3MinutesofAviation]

Awesome capture! May I feature this takeoff in one of my next episodes? Of course with a link back to your original video. Cheers!

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Hey mate, love your work! Sure! Feel free to feature with credits 😉

[@Matityahu755]

No need for an apology. Safety came first. Calm and professional pilots, and their team were brilliant. No doubt that their calmness eased the anxious passengers of their stress. Super well done to all concerned.

[@rubensano4860]

They apologise for the inconvenience to trivialise it and put your mind at ease.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Excellent job by the crew! The smartass within me was thinking, "Sure we just had a massive bird strike that failed one engine. So, sure, let's go back to that same airport right away, with only one functional engine." Smart move, of course, but that approach would've made me think about birds a LOT. :)

[@mcleanirish]

Birds that choose to fly over runways are the equivalent of humans who walk baby carriages in the street instead of the sidewalk

[@i_am_ton6188]

Wow! Nice Video, thx for that😊 you can clearly hear how the engine's vibrating due the Birdstrike and mooving slightly to the right due to the powerloss. Nice handling be the crew👍

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Exactly very well handled by the crew and ATC 👌🏽

[@Jay-hr3rh]

My condolences to the bird family🙏.

[@Ducktility]

Also condole for the chicken i had

[@sanchoodell6789]

Aer Lingus did offer compensation to them!

[@loonylovesgood]

@@DucktilityI bet it was tasty tho.

[@Sandra-dt4ec]

Thoughts and prayers

[@stephenfillmore8319]

I just flew out of Dub and was shocked at how many birds I saw flying around the airfield...this doesn't surprise me at all. Was concerned at the time tbh.

[@sanpedrosilver]

Good job to the flight crew 👨‍✈️

[@DistractedTrader]

That was airforce one on the ground! You seemed to have caught everything that day :P

[@stacky512a]

Really surprised that doesn’t happen more often

[@danecowan678]

Normally airports have a huge amount of wildlife deterrent measures in place. Heathrow has a fleet of vehicles dedicated to this very purpose with sounders and alarms as well as firecrackers to disperse birds

[@AwakenedSerenity]

Wow! very high quality video along with great footage! Am I allowed to use it in one of my videos (with credit/a link in the description)?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Hi mate! Yes, thanks for asking 😉

[@AwakenedSerenity]

@@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD Great :) Thanks for the reply

[@OH2023-cj9if]

I wish people would say no as its just compilations of compilations now.

[@Pickle24H]

is that the air force one parked up at the landing?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Yes Joe Biden was visiting Ireland at that time. There are also three Boeing C-32

[@marcambouphaure]

Oh, wow, intense take-off 😳. Thank God, you are still dafe.

[@willamisbezerra6970]

Isso Ainda não é Motivo Para um Acidente 😊😊

[@malahammer]

why wouldn't they be safe?

[@bradyc1732]

Was that Airforce One Over there after landing???

[@billb7876]

You were lucky, in 1980 this happened to a heavyweight Nimrod at Kinloss, Just on take off where it hit and ingested 70 odd Gulls and losing 3 of its engines, sadly the 2 pilots died but the rest escaped the wreckage.

[@Roboseal2]

This A330 is fitted with CF6 engines. They are known to "eat" oil, not handle compressor stalls, and not have the greatest outcome from birdstrikes well but can still contain debris.

[@willamisbezerra6970]

Isso mesmo 😮

[@ramyfares9099]

That’s why RR Trent 700 is better

[@bikerguychris33]

That's right 👍🏻 It looked like that engine handled this bird strike very well though, didn't even hear a compressor stall. The A330ceo also has the RR Trent 700 which is the most common type of engine, and the P&W PW4000 too.

[@Roboseal2]

I know PW has their special Kevlar around the fan case to contain debris.@@bikerguychris33

[@GOLTURBO555]

@@ramyfares9099 fuel usage WAY more than CF6

[@ricardosam8050]

Wow wow well done to all crew

[@therandomytchannel4318]

Happened to me back in the 90s out of Vancouver Canada, 737-300 and left engine sucked in bird and engine made popping sounds until the PF shut it down, we landed and after a few hours got a replacement plane July 1995

[@BudstarXEmergencyOfficial]

7:42 You could see Air Force One 😂

[@lindalinda7227]

Ouaw impressionnant. Sécurité avant tout c'est clair. Mais il était où l'effarroucheur à l'aéroport de Dublin ?

[@jerrera45]

The birds last thought... OH S**T

[@JustAircrafts]

Fantastic capture! Would it be acceptable for me to use this video as part of my Weekly Dose of Aviation series? Naturally, you will receive credit as before for both the video and the description. Regards!

[@Mickytdi]

What happened afterwards? Was there much of a delay, a quick fix?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

The airplane went to maintenance so it was replaced by another one (EI-EIM), and we took off after an 8-hour delay

[@Roboseal2]

Yeah There is very little chance there was a quick fix. If the CF6 has a bird strike its definitely going to need lengthy repairs or just completely swapped out for a new one.

[@leokimvideo]

RIP poor little birds

[@TheNapalmFTW]

Hey Leo. I still go back and watch backyard jet from time to time

[@vizograph]

Was that AF1 parked up with a couple of other 757 US Gov stuff?

[@rkan2]

Yes at 7:47 😅

[@Pkmn_mlp_sonic_fnaf_fan]

The 757 one is C32

[@Aviatorspot]

Amazing catch.

[@davidca96]

Looks like only the "debris" from the bird went in the engine, not completely destroying it but likely damaging a few compressor blades and causing an imbalance. Thats what it looked like anyway.

[@Roboseal2]

due to the lower bypass of the cf6 it was more likely the bird bits would enter the core and cause havoc.

[@S_Paoli]

what are the chances that a bird strike getting filed by someone still using a camcorder? :) camcorders are are relatively rare these days. :)

[@ScaniaVabis580]

Did i see AF1 there upon return to the field 🤔

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Joe Biden was visiting Ireland

[@viperdriver82]

Thing went from A330 to ATR real quick

[@rkan2]

Well, the ATR doesn't even have FADEC, so not quite 😂

[@viperdriver82]

@@rkan2 sure sounds like an ATR

[@Pe11ePD]

Poor birds, poor humans that will arrive late to the destination and for a bit of scare, poor plane for dealing with multiple hits and blood stains... :)

[@mauronavarro3209]

those birds asked for it

[@FlyHub99]

Awesome capture! Would you be okay with me featuring this in my video? Of course you will be credited both in the video and in the description.

[@Aviationgeek633]

The birds wanted to go on a butter machine

[@JMc.D]

Nice calm pilot.

[@AviationTimeYT]

Great capture! Can I use this clip in my upcoming video? Full credits to you in the video description of course 😊

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Hi, thanks, yes no problem 😉

[@AviationTimeYT]

@@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD Amazing, thanks a lot 😀

[@RobTheWatcher]

Are the birds okay??????????

[@ProFlightAviation]

I just realized that you caught the VC-25 (AF1) among other US aircraft in the background during landing at 7:41

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Joe Biden was visiting Ireland yes

[@honiTravels]

Wao exactly moment of the bird strike. Excelent. Thank God come back the airport safety

[@KC-RallyPlanes]

I was at the airport last week and never seen so many birds around the place.

[@brendanokeeffe5396]

Everyone claps for a normal landing and no clapping for an emergency one 🤣🤣

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Apart from a few destinations I hardly ever heard passengers clapping after landing 😅

[@SportyMabamba]

Only Americans clap on a normal landing

[@richardshiggins704]

I would like to wish the birds concerned one and all a speedy recovery .

[@richardwyse7817]

lol

[@verdammteaxt2929]

Is the bird ok? 😮

[@Shoreliners.1090]

That person coughing in the background sound sicker than the engine 😷

[@PurpleDreki]

So many birds out ahead. Perhaps the airport could do better with bird control? Great video! Great recovery by the pilots! Definitely good luck. Nice seeing the shamrock on the wingtip!

[@davidhilton8680]

Get rid of all birds near airports...more will replace them. Birds can fly 😉 Birds btw...are everywhere...even 6-7Kms up. Get rid of all birds... that'll cause ecosystem collapse...and probably end life as we know it. For all our technology....we humans are not actually that clever 😂

[@PurpleDreki]

@@davidhilton8680 Birds are the dragon's piercing armor. They thin out higher up. The flocks can be deterred on the ground. Especially on the runway.

[@davidhilton8680]

@@PurpleDreki Deterrent methods increasing ineffective. Falconry, doesn't deter all the birds. They just move to a different area. If the falconer moves with the birds, the birds end up back In the same place. Not a cheap option either. Alarm call of birds by loud speaker eventually becomes ineffective because birds learn that there isn't really any threat about. I remember landing at Schiphol and was surprised by the Curlews and Lapwing on the grass next to the runway. Ironically... I'm a birdwatcher & was on a connecting flight to China for a birdwatching holiday 🥴

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Probably blocked by the Greenies.

[@boeinga370]

I flew on EI-EIK only a week before this and noticed a terrible high pitched sound coming from over the wing. I uploaded it to KZbin and I still have no idea what it is. Did you hear it on this flight?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

I just saw your video. No I did not hear that sound. It’s the first time I ever hear it 🤔

[@boeinga370]

@@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD well I'm glad you landed safely anyways

[@JupiterMan12.000]

Amazing Pilots That's what there trained to do

[@lenynaise]

Is that Air Force One and Air Force Two in the background at 7:44?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Affirm

[@RuzgarinPesinde]

Fantastic video! Would it be okay for you if I feature this in a future KZbin video of mine? I would of course credit you in the video and description. Thank you and have a great day!

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

0:49 You can see the flock of birds getting into this engine in this clip

[@AviationDailyNow]

Hey great catch mate! Can i feature this in one of my upcoming episodes? Of Course you will get credit for it! Thanks

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Hi, yes no problem

[@Darkgamer-5412]

What airport?

[@23gatesy]

Were the birds ok?

[@sakurachannel9624]

You got pretty close to landing on water. You were very lucky

[@anthonymcmahon5044]

Did anyone catch Airforce One in the background while landing? It’s there plain as day.

[@mikehindson-evans159]

Yes, visible at 7:42 in the middle of the landing roll.

[@IaughEveryday]

Nice video 👍🏻 thanks

[@chenwong1036]

What happened after? Did you all had to changed to another plane?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Yep airplane swap and we took off a few hours late

[@carroll_aviation]

did u get swapped onto a different aircraft or swapped onto a flight the next day?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

We got an another A330 on the same day (EI-EIM) and departed with an 8-hour delay

[@m4t4s81]

no ones speaking about the air force one and the other planes beside it

[@PilotWanderlust]

Thanks for the share!

[@JC_46]

How can a plane land so quickly after take off with so much fuel on board? I thought they had to either a) dump fuel or b) keep circling until a certain amount of fuel is burned off. How can such a heavy plane land? Are certain runway lengths required and if this had been from a different airport it may not have been possible? Or is it always possible to land straight away in the event of an issue during takeoff? Thanks 😊

[@bok19422]

There is certain factors put into the landing, they will typically ask for the longest runway available, as they will need to land at a higher speed, as the heavier the plane, the higher the stall speed, so if you have an a330 with minimum weight, lets say stall speed will be 100 knots or so, with a heavy load, that may go up to 120 knots, or even 130 knots. Thats what flaps are for though, they provide more lift at lower speeds, allowing aircraft to fly slower.

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

The A330 does not have any capability to dump fuel. That leaves two options. Circle to burn fuel as you said, or do an overweight landing. Circling to burn fuel is not the greatest idea when you have an engine problem. So you have to quickly decide to perform an overweight landing, which will require most likely the full length of the runway.

[@rkan2]

Overweight landing is not a major issue on most aircraft. Just gotta make your performance calculations are right and make sure there is enough runway.

[@JC_46]

@@rkan2 what happens if they ran out of runway on this occasion and had to take off again whilst moving, would that have been possible with one engine not performing as it should?

[@rkan2]

@@JC_46 If the performance calculations were made correctly, they could operate normally like with normal landing weight with two engines sans the hot brakes.

[@shinzy6030]

7:41 no way af1 was there

[@lesavgeeksdefrance]

VC-25 + C32 while landing broo

[@gareth3152]

Beautiful reassuring accent.

[@2FlyCaptain]

Air force one parked in the ramp during landing.

[@edwardhale4294]

Air force one there?

[@rubencaballerolinares4675]

Great landing!👍💪

[@ire923]

Love how it flew around my house... 😅

[@palmesv]

Hi there, amazing clip! May I feature this in one of my videos, of course you will be credited in the video and description.

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Hi there, thank you! Yes, thanks for asking 😉

[@andy1285]

Half expected feathers coming out when reversers opened

[@tonyyero7231]

Poor birds!

[@Callsignadam1]

7:45 Air Force 1 casually parked at EIDW

[@techmantra4521]

and I bet they had people complaining about returning to the airport. What, do you wanna risk flying with one less engine?

[@HughzieTube]

I bet that delayed your flight for a number of hours.

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Almost 8 hours

[@georgeforall]

No Applause on landing??

[@LEESS1005]

That’s a classic understatement,we’ve just had a bird strike,we have saved the aircraft AND all your lives,but your going to be delayed,sorry for the inconvenience 😂😂😂

[@coasteyscoasteys]

Where are the ground staff to keep an eye on birds

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Bird threat mitigation is not 100%, and runway surroundings are not inspected before every single take off.

[@coasteyscoasteys]

@@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD Seems like a risky way to run an airport and fly planes!

[@AeroStories]

F for the birds 💀💀 Could I use your video in a compilation on my channel? I'll give proper credits and link to the original video.

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Sorry I didn’t reply. Yes sure

[@dylandettorre]

Just after V1/VR too. Worst time to happen

[@Dncyx]

those birds were not cleared into the Bravo

[@alexanyanEVN]

Good job

[@cjpatz]

Was that Air Force 1 at 7:47 ?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Yes and the timing is completely unintentional 😆

[@cjpatz]

@@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD glad you landed safe and glad you got it all on video. Just realized 747😂

[@cs512tr]

A330: oooo snack ! om nom nom nom nom nom nom nom

[@jcmusic5150]

Can I ask a naive but fairly obvious question? Why don't aircraft engines have some kind of design to prevent birds from being able to enter them?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

It’s not possible to prevent birds from entering the engine. You can’t put anything in front of the engine intake that would not disturb the airflow and/or possibly create safety concerns. Birds ingestions are rare, so it’s probably not worth it

[@jcmusic5150]

@@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD Thanks for the reply!

[@kevin19358]

How much did you pay to fly Air Lingus to Chicago?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

Roughly 500€ seats included

[@kevin19358]

I see, thanks.

[@jmw0368]

Was it birds, or was it “potetas”!! But tanks anywey to da pilots; Maykalwl and Patrick!! 😂

[@flythebus]

Aer Lingus A330s vs birds a lot lately

[@Robloxian3M]

4:40 I thought the engine flew away

[@Chadleyization]

air force 1 and 2 in the background also

[@johnmacward]

How did you feel when this happened ?

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

I hardly panic and I trust pilots and controllers so relatively relaxed 😅

[@willamisbezerra6970]

Isso não Derruba Avião é Só Seguir os Procedimentos que os Pilotos Sabem 😊

[@AndreSantos-nd3if]

Why did the plain didn't land quickly? dumping the fuel? makes no sense for me......

[@TheFlyingFrenchmanHD]

It did. But there’s no hurry. The plane can fly with one engine only. As long as it’s not a fire, or anything immediately life threatening, you can take your time to sort the issue out and take a decision.

[@LittleLoz]

Plane*

[@olivermilner1470]

Everything I’ve just seen indicates the arm chair pilots. Love it.

[@Peter-g6g1t]

I know it's an obvious point but why can't they put a mesh grill over the engine

[@karhukivi]

A mesh would disrupt the smooth airflow into the engine and cause a compressor stall.

[@mauronavarro3209]

No. U can't ignore physics law.

[@Roboseal2]

Reduce thrust probably. it would look stupid too