The Daily Observer (Banjul)
9 November 2009
press release
A detailed technical report on the C5-GAF bird strike which occured during take-off of the presidential flight heading to Qatar on the 24th October, 2009 at 21:43pm has been submitted to the Office of the President by the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
The report indicated that the said aircraft encountered bird strike on engine number 2 and 3 during take off from runway 14 at Banjul International Airport and whilst in flight, the captain experienced compressor surge on engine number 2 and decided to return back to Banjul International Airport and safely landed at 23.57pm.
Below is the full text of the report:
The above said aircraft encountered bird strike on engine number 2 and 3 during take off from runway 14 at Banjul International Airport on the 24th October 2009 at 21:43pm. Whilst in flight, the captain experienced compressor surge on engine number 2 and decided to return back to Banjul International Airport and safely landed at 23:57pm. A runway inspection was carried out after the aircraft safely landed and a dead bird was found on runway 14 with the head hit injury.
A team of Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) from the GCAA Fight Safety Standards Department the morning of 25th October 2009 went to the aircraft to inspect engine number 1, 2 and 3.
Engine number 1A visual inspection was done and the engine rotated by hand and found satisfactory. However, a borescope inspection should be conducted.
Engine number 2A visual inspection was done and blood stains and feathers were found on the engine intake. Seven (7) fan blades were found to be affected of which four (4) were beyond repair limits. This engine needs to go to an engine shop to replace the fan blades. However a borescope inspection has to be performed to accesses any internal damage to the compressor and turbine.
Engine number 3A visual inspection was also done on the engine, blood stains and feathers were also found on the engine intake but there were no damage on the fan blades. However, a borescope inspection has to be performed to access any internal damage to the compressor and turbine.
Fuselage The leading edge of the port wing centre suffered a dent due to bird strike and blood stains were observed around the area. Blood stains were also seen around the nose to the aircraft. Borescope inspectionAt anytime a bird strike occurs into the core of an engine, or a bird strike where not all of the remains of the bird can be found, a borescope inspection is required.Borescope inspection is a kind of inspection which shows the internal parts of an engine through magnification for easy troubleshooting. ConclusionTo perform the above inspection and repairs, the aircraft needs to be ferried to a GCAA Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) facility.
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