Created Friday, Apr 29th 2022 11:22Z, last updated Friday, Apr 29th 2022 11:22Z
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration N7739A performing flight
WN-5246 from Washington National,DC to Kansas City,MO (USA) with 136 passengers and 5 crew, was descending through 10,000 feet on the downwind leg for an approach to Kansas City's runway 19R, when the crew spotted a white object below the cockpit going through the landing lights and heard a loud bang from below their feet. Engine parameters remained all okay. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on runway 19R.
On Apr 29th 2022 the NTSB released their final report concluding the probable cause of the occurrence rated an accident was:
a bird strike during descent
The NTSB reported the aircraft received substantial structural damage to the fuselage: "... post flight inspection of the airplane revealed evidence of a bird strike and dents in the lower right fuselage skin. Further inspection revealed two internal frames were bent and fractured."
The aircraft returned to service on Mar 21st 2020 three months after the accident.
