Kentucky, United States: According to an official preliminary release from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a cargo aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines suffered a bird strike that triggered a left-engine failure and forced an emergency return to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) on January 28, 2026.
The NTSB preliminary investigation designated Accident No. DCA26LA106 reveals that the aircraft, an Airbus A330‑343 registered as N5827K, was operating as Flight 2616 from CVG to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) when the incident occurred. Two crew members were on board, and no injuries were reported.
The official NTSB release, based on factual data collected immediately following the event, shows the aircraft departed CVG’s Runway 27 at approximately 3:05 p.m. EST in what was reported as visual meteorological conditions. Minutes after liftoff, while climbing through about 900 to 1,000 feet, the flight crew observed and subsequently struck a flock of Canada geese.
Multiple bird impacts occurred on both sides of the aircraft. Shortly after, the flight deck received an “ENG 1 FAULT” alert, followed by an “ENG 1 FAIL” warning indicating failure of the No. 1 (left) engine, powered by a Rolls‑Royce RB211 engine.
The captain declared an emergency with air traffic control and immediately requested a return to CVG. The aircraft was vectored for an emergency landing on Runway 36R.
During the return to the airport, the crew reported smoke entering the cockpit and received a Main Deck Smoke alert on the aircraft’s electronic monitoring system. Both pilots donned oxygen masks and began emergency procedures.
Before landing, the crew reported that the smoke had dissipated and removed their oxygen masks. The first officer, serving as pilot flying, successfully brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway, where rescue and firefighting crews inspected the aircraft.
Fire suppression agents were discharged into the affected engine as a safety precaution, but no fire occurred. The aircraft was subsequently towed to the ramp.
The NTSB report indicates substantial damage to the aircraft, including evidence of bird remnants and impact damage:
- Left main landing gear door and strut
- Left wing inboard flap
- Right engine pylon
- Right wing leading edge slat and slat track
Both engines showed signs of bird ingestion. Investigators noted that the left engine had fan blade damage, restricted rotation and visible misalignment, while the right engine sustained acoustic liner damage with bird remnants on the spinner and exhaust nozzle, yet its fan rotated freely.
Airport personnel recovered the remains of eight Canada geese in the area of the runway following the incident.
Weather observations from CVG shortly before the departure indicated:
- Winds: 280 degrees at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 miles
- Temperature: –9 °C
- Scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The flight was operating under an IFR flight plan, though conditions were reported as visual meteorological. The NTSB classified the damage as substantial and continues to investigate the incident.
