The Federal Aviation Administration has released its preliminary findings into their investigation of an emergency landing of an Amazon cargo plane after it struck birds with its engines while taking off from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.It happened on Jan. 28, 2026. Emergency crews responded to the CVG tarmac after the plane was forced to make an emergency landing.The FAA’s report confirmed the emergency landing was caused after birds were struck, causing damage to the plane’s engines.Officials say the plane, Alaska Airlines flight 2616, struck birds during its initial climb after taking off from CVG. Flight crew told investigators that after taking off from runway 27, while climbing through 900-1,000 feet, the captain observed a flock of geese flying from left to right.The captain, who officials say was also the pilot monitoring, called out “birds” before the flight crew felt multiple birds impact the left and right side of the airplane. At that time, according to investigators, the crew observed the electronic centralized aircraft monitor (ECAM) warning and a master caution indication. This was followed by the ENG 1 FAULT indication on the ECAM, immediately followed by ENG 1 FAIL. The FAA says the captain alerted air traffic control of the bird strike, declared an emergency, and requested to return to CVG.During the flight’s return, officials say, the flight crew saw smoke enter the cockpit and, subsequently, a main deck SMOKE ECAM message was alerted. At this time, the crew briefly put on their oxygen masks.An inspection of the plane by airport rescue and firefighting personnel after landing showed there had been no fire on the airplane. Airport operations personnel told investigators they had recovered the remains of eight Canadian geese after the strike.In a post accident examination of the plane, the FAA says bird remnants were found on the left main landing gear and strut, the left-wing inboard flap, the right engine pylon, the right-wing leading-edge slat and slat track.Both engines showed evidence of having “bird ingestion,” officials say, with damage and bird remnants were observed on the left engine nacelle—inside and outside of the inlet—and fan blades. The left engine fan had restricted rotation and was visibly misaligned, while the right engine had damage to the inlet cowl acoustic liner and bird remnants were found on the spinner and the exhaust nozzle. The right engine rotated freely, the investigation found.The FAA says its investigation remains ongoing.
The Federal Aviation Administration has released its preliminary findings into their investigation of an emergency landing of an Amazon cargo plane after it struck birds with its engines while taking off from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
It happened on Jan. 28, 2026. Emergency crews responded to the CVG tarmac after the plane was forced to make an emergency landing.
The FAA’s report confirmed the emergency landing was caused after birds were struck, causing damage to the plane’s engines.
Officials say the plane, Alaska Airlines flight 2616, struck birds during its initial climb after taking off from CVG. Flight crew told investigators that after taking off from runway 27, while climbing through 900-1,000 feet, the captain observed a flock of geese flying from left to right.
The captain, who officials say was also the pilot monitoring, called out “birds” before the flight crew felt multiple birds impact the left and right side of the airplane. At that time, according to investigators, the crew observed the electronic centralized aircraft monitor (ECAM) warning and a master caution indication.
This was followed by the ENG 1 FAULT indication on the ECAM, immediately followed by ENG 1 FAIL. The FAA says the captain alerted air traffic control of the bird strike, declared an emergency, and requested to return to CVG.
During the flight’s return, officials say, the flight crew saw smoke enter the cockpit and, subsequently, a main deck SMOKE ECAM message was alerted. At this time, the crew briefly put on their oxygen masks.
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An inspection of the plane by airport rescue and firefighting personnel after landing showed there had been no fire on the airplane. Airport operations personnel told investigators they had recovered the remains of eight Canadian geese after the strike.
In a post accident examination of the plane, the FAA says bird remnants were found on the left main landing gear and strut, the left-wing inboard flap, the right engine pylon, the right-wing leading-edge slat and slat track.
Both engines showed evidence of having “bird ingestion,” officials say, with damage and bird remnants were observed on the left engine nacelle—inside and outside of the inlet—and fan blades. The left engine fan had restricted rotation and was visibly misaligned, while the right engine had damage to the inlet cowl acoustic liner and bird remnants were found on the spinner and the exhaust nozzle. The right engine rotated freely, the investigation found.
The FAA says its investigation remains ongoing.
