United Airlines jet returns to SFO after striking bird
A United Airlines flight bound for Denver had to return to the gate at San Francisco International Airport over the weekend due to a bird strike that damaged the pilot’s side window shortly after takeoff, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The aircraft involved in the incident, a Boeing 737 Max 9, had ascended to approximately 5,000 feet after departing at 5:04 a.m. on Saturday. It safely landed about 25 minutes post-departure.
The FAA report noted, “Aircraft struck a bird on departure, damaging the pilot’s side window.”
A spokesperson for United Airlines confirmed the incident on Tuesday, adding that the passengers on Flight 1003 were transferred to a replacement Boeing 737 Max 9 shortly after the incident and arrived in Denver with a delay of roughly 31⁄2 hours.
The damaged aircraft was back in service by Sunday, performing the same rotation, flight records show.
Bird strikes are quite common but rarely dangerous, according to aviation experts. More than 2,300 incidents were reported in 2023, most happening during takeoff and landing. San Francisco International Airport operates under an FAAapproved Wildlife Hazard Management Plan to mitigate wildlife hazards, including a plan to trap and relocate certain bird species.
SFO records an average of 18 strikes for every 100,000 aircraft operations.
The same day as the United incident, a Southwest Airlines departing San Diego to Oakland was forced to return to the gate after it hit a bird on takeoff. The airline moved the passengers from Flight 2922 to a different plane, which landed in Oakland after a 11⁄2 hour delay.
Recent incidents, such as a blown-out door on a Boeing 737 Max 9 during an Alaska Airlines flight and a series of mishaps involving United Airlines planes, including the loss of a wheel during takeoff from San Francisco International Airport, have piqued travelers.
In response to these safety events, the FAA has ramped up scrutiny of both companies. “Due to recent safety events, the FAA is increasing oversight of United Airlines to ensure that it is complying with safety regulations; identifying hazards and mitigating risk; and effectively managing safety,” the agency said in a statement.
Boeing’s CEO Dave Calhoun announced on Monday that he will step down by the end of the year.