CINCINNATI (WKRC) – New details are emerging about an emergency landing at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in January after an Alaska Airlines cargo flight struck birds shortly after takeoff.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the incident happened the afternoon of Jan. 28. The captain spotted a flock of geese shortly after takeoff and called out “birds” as the crew felt several birds hit the plane, causing one of the engines to fail.
The cockpit filled with smoke as the crew turned back to the airport. The first officer, who was flying the aircraft at the time, landed it safely.
Photos included with the NTSB’s preliminary report show damage that ground crews said was caused by eight Canada geese hitting the engine. The birds also damaged the left main landing gear door and a left wing flap…