3 days Ago By Aaron Bailey
A flight arriving at Washington National Airport on October 31st encountered an alleged bird strike on its final approach to the Capital. Then, the Airbus A319 engine failed, requiring a mayday call before diverting to Washington Dulles . AA1539 from Boston to Washington On Thursday, October 31, an American Airlines Airbus A319, N814AW, departed Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), operating as AA1539, and was destined for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The aircraft had 94 passengers and crew onboard and was expected to arrive at 09:09. According to data from Flightradar24 , the aircraft pushed back from the gate at 07:29, nine minutes behind schedule. The aircraft took off in a southeasterly direction and crossed Massachusetts Bay while climbing to its maximum altitude, recorded at approximately 32,000 feet.
During the aircraft's descent into Washington National, the aircraft followed the course of the Potomac River, descending for an approach to the airport's runway 19. The aircraft descended to around 300 feet above the airport before encountering what was believed to be a bird strike . The crew initiated a go-around, advising air traffic control they had an engine failure.
The aircraft slowly climbed away from the airport and declared Mayday , where the crew requested to divert to neighboring Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The aircraft landed safely 20 minutes later on IAD's runway 19L. No passengers or crew reported any injuries following the incident.
N814AW , the Airbus A319-132 at the center of the incident, remained on the apron at Dulles for almost a week for inspection and maintenance before returning to service on Wednesday, November 6, operating as AA9787 to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). N814AW aircraft history According to data from ch-Aviation , the aircraft, which carries the serial number 1281, took its first flight 24.3 years ago, on July 15, 2000, under German Airbus registration D-AVYC.
It was delivered to America West Airlines later that month, joining the fleet on July 7, 2000. It remained with America West until the carrier was absorbed into US Airways, transferring on September 27, 2005. American Airlines ultimately acquired this following its merger with US Airways , with American Airlines taking ownership of the aircraft on April 8, 2015.
The aircraft has eight first class seats and 120 mixed-in Main Cabin Extra and Main Cabin (economy). Two IAE V2524-A engines power the aircraft. Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here .
Federal Aviation Administration investigating According to Aviation Herald, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released this statement about the flight: "American Airlines Flight 1539 landed safely at Dulles International Airport in Virginia around 8:40 a.m. local time on Thursday, Oct.
31, after the crew reported a bird strike. The Airbus 319 departed from Boston Logan International Airport and was heading to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The FAA will investigate.
" This is the sixth birth strike Simple Flying has reported recently. The most recent was a Delta Air Lines flight en route to Atlanta from San Jose , which turned back on Tuesday afternoon after a reported bird strike shortly after takeoff . The incident occurred around 13:00 local time, prompting the aircraft to return to San Jose Mineta International Airport.
A closer look at what happens when a collision occurs between an aircraft and an airborne creature..
