Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > United Airlines | MileagePlus
Reload this Page >

Birdstrike UA #12 ZRH-ORD / returned / cancelled 23 July 2022, cancelled 24 July

Birdstrike UA #12 ZRH-ORD / returned / cancelled 23 July 2022, cancelled 24 July

Old Jul 23, 22, 3:05 pm
  #1  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,319
Birdstrike UA #12 ZRH-ORD / returned / cancelled 23 July 2022, cancelled 24 July

After birdstrike on left engine at dpearture flight returned to ZRH and ended up cancelled.
There were reportedly strong vibrations at take-off. Bird identified as a hawk (Bussard in German)
cesco.g is offline  
Old Jul 23, 22, 4:58 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 209
According to a local news source, even the tower could hear something was wrong and notified flight crew. I wonder why they continued almost to the Atlantic before turning back.
zoned_post_meridiem is offline  
Old Jul 23, 22, 5:42 pm
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RIC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,746
Originally Posted by zoned_post_meridiem
According to a local news source, even the tower could hear something was wrong and notified flight crew. I wonder why they continued almost to the Atlantic before turning back.
Fuel load. ZRH-ORD would have a significant fuel load at take off. Flight cannot dump fuel over land. If safety is not an immediate concern, then fly to Atlantic and dump some fuel before returning to land.
CIT85 is online now  
Old Jul 23, 22, 8:24 pm
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Baltimore/Washington, USA
Programs: AA LT Platinum, Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 3,068

Not a fuel dump in this case
chix is offline  
Old Jul 23, 22, 8:52 pm
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
Originally Posted by zoned_post_meridiem
According to a local news source, even the tower could hear something was wrong and notified flight crew. I wonder why they continued almost to the Atlantic before turning back.
they didn't make it to the Atlantic, it was near the Channel. Looking at the log there appears to be a normal climb profile and cruise. The crew may have been running checklists and conferring with dispatch on diversion options if the a/c was stable. Maybe something changed or degraded in that period and the decision was made to return. 2 hours of flight is landing lighter as well. We don't know the sequence or all the events.
SPN Lifer likes this.
prestonh is offline  
Old Jul 24, 22, 8:32 am
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: ba executive, AA advantage,
Posts: 70
UA12 ZRH

It looks like UA 12 out of Zurich has been canceled for two days in a row for technical issues. Does anyone have anymore information about this flight?
dm6214 is offline  
Old Jul 24, 22, 9:04 am
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: ba executive, AA advantage,
Posts: 70
This all started Thursday the 21st, Then Friday and then again on Saturday.
dm6214 is offline  
Old Jul 24, 22, 9:43 am
  #8  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 20,257
Originally Posted by dm6214
This all started Thursday the 21st, Then Friday and then again on Saturday.
Theres no reason to think that a delay or cancellation a flight one day is related to a similar event the next day. They dont frequently shuttle one aircraft back and forth between two airports, so, although its possible, its not usual that UA12 on Thursday would be operated by the same plane as UA12 on Friday.
dm6214 and SPN Lifer like this.
jsloan is online now  
Old Jul 24, 22, 10:08 am
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
Originally Posted by jsloan
Theres no reason to think that a delay or cancellation a flight one day is related to a similar event the next day. They dont frequently shuttle one aircraft back and forth between two airports, so, although its possible, its not usual that UA12 on Thursday would be operated by the same plane as UA12 on Friday.
correct. for instance, the returns to EWR on UA135 seemingly originate from EWR, IAD, and ORD in a sampling from the past week.
jsloan and dm6214 like this.
prestonh is offline  
Old Jul 24, 22, 10:16 am
  #10  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Does Non Rev count?
Posts: 560
Originally Posted by CIT85
Fuel load. ZRH-ORD would have a significant fuel load at take off. Flight cannot dump fuel over land. If safety is not an immediate concern, then fly to Atlantic and dump some fuel before returning to land.
We can dump fuel over land, and if high enough, it evaporates into the air. That said, we prefer to do so over water or under populated areas to avoid any possible environmental issues.
cesco.g, perkele and SPN Lifer like this.
757FO is offline  
Old Jul 24, 22, 10:19 am
  #11  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,373
There certainly can be a cascading effect on plane type/ qualified pilots caused by the first event. You have pilots in Zurich w/o a plane they were to crew. That trio of pilots is now out of sync. With staffing situations, UA may have decided to route ORD- Z customers via other us entry points until they could get crew/ a/c back in synch
IAH-OIL-TRASH is offline  
Old Jul 24, 22, 11:00 am
  #12  
In memoriam
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Programs: DL 2MM, AA MM, DL Sky Club Life, AA Admirals Club Life, Hilton Gold Life
Posts: 1,732
Originally Posted by prestonh
they didn't make it to the Atlantic, it was near the Channel. Looking at the log there appears to be a normal climb profile and cruise. The crew may have been running checklists and conferring with dispatch on diversion options if the a/c was stable. Maybe something changed or degraded in that period and the decision was made to return. 2 hours of flight is landing lighter as well. We don't know the sequence or all the events.
could be no follow-on indications in cockpit. However passengers noise complaints and prayer sessions over time might have built up enough that pilot decided to turn back.

I'm all for safe flight but don't scare the passengers
Lomapaseo is offline  
Old Jul 24, 22, 1:39 pm
  #13  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,319
@757FO: Would an engine typically kept running after a birdstrike?
Most likely it was in this case given the fact that the flight continued on for 2 hrs (?)

LX has two flights to ORD, vs one to EWR and none to IAD. This might support the decision to cxl ORD first, as there is more JV capacity for rebookings on that route.

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 24, 22 at 2:29 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
cesco.g is offline  
Old Jul 24, 22, 6:57 pm
  #14  
In memoriam
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Programs: DL 2MM, AA MM, DL Sky Club Life, AA Admirals Club Life, Hilton Gold Life
Posts: 1,732
Originally Posted by cesco.g
@757FO: Would an engine typically kept running after a birdstrike?
Most likely it was in this case given the fact that the flight continued on for 2 hrs (?)

LX has two flights to ORD, vs one to EWR and none to IAD. This might support the decision to cxl ORD first, as there is more JV capacity for rebookings on that route.
Most bird strikes to engines don't quit by themselves. Most will continue running without noticeable effect. If an engine is felt exhibiting signs of distress (via instruments) the pilot will often shut it down conditions permitting.

Remember the FAA requirements are that the large engines ingest multible large birds and continue running long enough to make an airturnback shortly after takeoff regardless of the symptoms of distress
cesco.g and SPN Lifer like this.
Lomapaseo is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.