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Delta 1063 bird strike - loss of one engine - return to JFK
Delta 1063 suffers a bird strike and engine failure after takeoff from JFK, returning safely.
Summary
Shortly after departing John F. Kennedy International Airport, Delta Flight 1063 ingested birds into its right engine, resulting in a total engine failure. The crew declared an emergency and executed a prompt visual approach to return to the airport. After a successful single-engine landing, the aircraft was met by emergency crews for a field inspection before taxiing to the gate.
Analysis
This recording captures a textbook example of an emergency return following a bird strike. Immediately after being handed off to departure, the crew of Delta 1063 reports the loss of their right-side engine. Bird strikes are a persistent hazard at JFK due to its proximity to Jamaica Bay, but a strike resulting in a complete engine failure (ingestion) requires immediate tactical decisions and a declaration of emergency.
The pilot’s professionalism is a highlight of the exchange. Despite having just lost half of his thrust on a heavy aircraft, the captain remains calm and assertive. He initially requests a return to Runway 13 Right but quickly adjusts his plan to Runway 22 Right to better accommodate a visual approach. This demonstrates "situational awareness"—choosing the path that minimizes complexity while the crew works through emergency checklists.
A key technical moment occurs when the controller asks for "souls and fuel." The pilot reports 179 souls and over 8 hours of fuel remaining. Because the aircraft was heavily loaded for a long flight, landing immediately meant the plane was likely near its maximum landing weight, increasing the pressure on the remaining engine and the braking system. The Tower's response, "Whatever you like, we'll give you whatever you want," illustrates the priority ATC gives to aircraft in distress.
The final segment of the recording shows the transition from air to ground coordination. The pilot requests to stop in "the pad" (a holding area) rather than taxiing straight to the gate. This allows emergency crews to inspect the dead engine for fire or fluid leaks without blocking active taxiways. The recording ends with a direct bridge between the pilot and the fire crews on a discrete frequency, ensuring clear communication during the safety inspection.
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
TOWER
Delta 1063, heading 185, contact Departure today.
TOWER
Delta 1063, turn to heading 185 and switch over to the Departure controllers now.
DELTA 1063
And Delta 1063 has had an engine failure on the right engine, declaring an emergency due to a bird strike.
DELTA 1063
This is Delta 1063—we've just had an engine failure on the right side. We are declaring an emergency; we hit some birds.
TOWER
Embraer 195, he might be turning in right behind you. I'll keep you advised.
TOWER
JetBlue, that plane might be turning in right behind you. I'll keep you updated on his position.
JETBLUE 641
JetBlue 641, Roger.
JETBLUE 641
Understood, JetBlue 641.
DELTA 1063
JFK Tower, Delta 1063.
DELTA 1063
Kennedy Tower, this is Delta 1063.
TOWER
Delta 1063, heading straight ahead, contact Departure 135.9, and they'll get you straight back in.
TOWER
Delta 1063, just keep flying straight ahead for now. Switch to the Departure controllers on frequency 135.9, and they will guide you right back to the airport.
DELTA 1063
Okay, heading straight ahead, Delta 1063.
DELTA 1063
Okay, we're flying straight ahead, Delta 1063.
DELTA 1063
Departure, Delta 1063. We have declared an emergency, engine failure on the right engine. Request visual return back to 13 Right.
DELTA 1063
Departure, this is Delta 1063. We’ve declared an emergency because our right engine failed. We're requesting to fly back by sight and land on runway 13-Right.
APPROACH
Delta 1063, all right. Just maintain 2,000 and turn right heading 270.
APPROACH
Delta 1063, I've got you. Just stay at 2,000 feet and turn right toward heading 270.
DELTA 1063
Okay, new request: we'd like to do a visual to 22, please.
DELTA 1063
Actually, we have a new request: we'd like to land on runway 22 by sight, please.
APPROACH
Okay, 22 Left then, and make that a left turn heading 010.
APPROACH
All right, we'll use runway 22-Left then. Make a left turn to heading 010 to line up.
DELTA 1063
010, Delta 1063.
DELTA 1063
Heading 010, Delta 1063.
APPROACH
At your discretion, you can just stay right there if you want.
APPROACH
It's up to you—you can just stay at that altitude right there if you prefer.
DELTA 1063
Yes, ma'am. We're taking 1,500, Delta 1063.
DELTA 1063
Yes, ma'am. We're going to level off at 1,500 feet, Delta 1063.
APPROACH
Okay. And if you can: people on board and fuel remaining, I guess.
APPROACH
Okay. And when you're able, I'll need the number of people on board and how much fuel you have left.
DELTA 1063
Standby.
DELTA 1063
Just a moment, please.
APPROACH
Delta 1063, and you're just going to go in visually?
APPROACH
Delta 1063, so you're planning to land just by looking out the window?
DELTA 1063
Yes, ma'am. Delta 1063, that would be great. If we could have the trucks standing by and everything for an inspection for 22 Right—and we'd like again the visual 22 Right side, please.
DELTA 1063
Yes, ma'am. That would be great. If we could have the emergency trucks waiting to inspect us on the right-hand runway—and again, we'll land by sight on that right runway, please.
APPROACH
22 Right it is then. And just let me know when you're ready to turn inbound or—actually, cleared for the visual approach.
APPROACH
The right runway it is, then. Just let me know when you're ready to head toward the airport—actually, you're all set to fly in and land by sight now.
DELTA 1063
Okay, we're going to square it out to the right here and we'll head back in. And just to let you know our stats for Delta 1063: we have 179 souls on board, 8 hours and 5 minutes remaining.
DELTA 1063
Okay, we're going to make a wide right turn and then head back in. For our emergency details: we have 179 people on board and over eight hours of fuel remaining.
APPROACH
Okay, thanks.
APPROACH
Okay, thank you.
APPROACH
Delta 1063, and whenever you're ready you can turn left heading 300 for the base.
APPROACH
Delta 1063, whenever you're ready, you can turn left toward the northwest to start your final turn toward the airport.
DELTA 1063
300 on the heading now, Delta 1063. We are ready, we're just wrapping up our checklist to make sure that we're secure for landing.
DELTA 1063
Turning to that heading now, Delta 1063. We’re ready, we’re just finishing up our safety checklists to make sure the plane is secure for landing.
APPROACH
Okay, then just advise the airport in sight and I'll have the approach clearance for you.
APPROACH
Alright, just tell me when you have the airport in sight and I’ll give you the official green light to land.
DELTA 1063
Okay. Yeah, just keep an eye on us out here. That's all for Delta 1063, and we'll be turning base-to-final when you tell us to.
DELTA 1063
Okay. Yeah, just keep a close eye on us out here. That's all for now, and we'll make our final turn toward the runway whenever you tell us to.
APPROACH
I'm ready. Whenever you are, you can turn base now if you'd like.
APPROACH
I'm all set. Whenever you're ready, you can start your turn toward the runway now.
DELTA 1063
Turning our base now, Delta 1063.
DELTA 1063
Starting our turn toward the runway now, Delta 1063.
APPROACH
Traffic off your right at 3,000 is also inbound to 22 Left, but he's going to hold out until you're out.
APPROACH
There is another plane to your right at 3,000 feet also coming in for the left runway, but he’s going to wait until you’re safely down.
DELTA 1063
Okay, Delta 1063, thank you.
DELTA 1063
Okay, Delta 1063, thank you.
APPROACH
Delta 1063, turn left heading 230.
APPROACH
Delta 1063, turn left now to line yourself up directly with the runway.
DELTA 1063
230 on the heading, Delta 1063. And Delta 1063 has the field in sight.
DELTA 1063
Turning to a heading of 230 degrees, Delta 1063. And we have the airport in sight now.
APPROACH
Delta 1063, cleared visual approach runway 22 Right.
APPROACH
Delta 1063, you're cleared to fly your approach by sight to runway 22 Right.
DELTA 1063
Cleared for the visual. All right, we're back to 22 Right, Delta 1063, thank you.
DELTA 1063
Cleared to land by sight. All right, we're lined back up for 22 Right, Delta 1063, thank you.
APPROACH
Delta 1063, contact Tower 119.1.
APPROACH
Delta 1063, switch over and talk to the Tower on frequency 119.1.
DELTA 1063
19.1, Delta 1063.
DELTA 1063
Over to 119.1, Delta 1063.
TOWER
Delta 1063, are you with me?
TOWER
Delta 1063, are you on this channel with me yet?
DELTA 1063
Trying to be, Delta 1063. Called you three times, visual 22 Right.
DELTA 1063
I'm trying to be, Delta 1063. I've tried calling you three times now; we're coming in by sight for 22 Right.
TOWER
Delta 1063, runway 22 Right, cleared to land. Caution wake turbulence for Boeing 757 just went around, climbing through 1,700 at this time.
TOWER
Delta 1063, you are cleared to land on runway 22 Right. Watch out for the rough air from a Boeing 757 that just aborted its landing; it's climbing through 1,700 feet right now.
DELTA 1063
Okay, very good. Understand cleared to land 22 Right, and thank you for the help, Delta 1063.
DELTA 1063
Okay, very good. We understand we're cleared to land on 22 Right, and thanks for all the help, Delta 1063.
TOWER
Delta 1063, you can turn right at the end, I suppose. The vehicles are responding. Is there anything you want me to tell them?
TOWER
Delta 1063, you can turn right at the end of the runway, I suppose. The emergency vehicles are responding now. Is there anything specific you want me to tell them?
DELTA 1063
Yeah, Delta 1063, we'll clear the right. We lost our right engine due to the ingestion of birds. Just have them do a quick courtesy inspection please, and once we're secure we'll continue to the gate.
DELTA 1063
Yeah, Delta 1063, we'll pull off to the right. We lost our right engine because we sucked in some birds. Just have the crews do a quick safety inspection for us, please, and once we're sure the plane is secure, we'll continue to the gate.
TOWER
Roger. And Delta 1063, when you exit the runway, you can change to ground frequency 121.9. I've already passed along the comments that you made to me, and we'll see how it goes.
TOWER
Got it. And Delta 1063, once you're off the runway, you can switch to the ground control frequency on 121.9. I've already passed along your report to them, and we'll see how it goes.
DELTA 1063
Okay. You want us to stand in the pad here and go to 121.9?
DELTA 1063
Okay. Do you want us to wait right here on the paved area and switch to 121.9?
TOWER
Yeah, just if you want to. Whatever you like, we'll give you whatever you want.
TOWER
Yeah, if you want to. Whatever you need, we'll give you whatever you want.
DELTA 1063
Okay, we'll go to the pad so they have plenty of room to work around the aircraft, Delta 1063. We're going to .9 now and thanks for the help, sir.
DELTA 1063
Okay, we'll pull into the paved area so the crews have plenty of room to work around the aircraft, Delta 1063. Switching to the ground channel now, and thanks for the help, sir.
DELTA 1063
JFK Ground, Delta 1063. We're in the pad. Left engine is still running, right engine is secure, and we'll standby for an inspection from the ground crew.
DELTA 1063
JFK Ground, this is Delta 1063. We’re parked in the staging area. The left engine is still idling, but we’ve shut down and secured the right one. We’re standing by for the ground crew to give us an inspection.
GROUND
All right, Delta. Thank you. And Delta, refresh my memory on your call sign, 1063, correct?
GROUND
Got it, Delta. Thank you. And Delta, remind me of your flight number again—it’s 1063, correct?
DELTA 1063
Yes, sir. 1063, and all is well, so they can take their time and everybody can be calm out there.
DELTA 1063
Yes, sir. 1063 is correct. Everything is under control, so the crews can take their time; there’s no need for anyone to panic out there.
GROUND
Delta 1063, thanks for the heads up. I tell you what: change to frequency 121.65, please. That way I can have you guys be able to talk directly with the ground crew.
GROUND
Delta 1063, thanks for the update. Tell you what: switch your radio over to channel 121.65, please. That way you can talk directly to the ground crews checking the plane.
DELTA 1063
121.65, Delta 1063. And we'll monitor 121.9 as well. Thanks again for the help.
DELTA 1063
Switching to 121.65, Delta 1063. We’ll keep listening in on the main ground channel as well. Thanks again for the help.
GROUND
Thank you. For the emergency crews, to contact the subject aircraft, he's looking for an inspection. You can use 121.65.
GROUND
Thank you. To the emergency teams: if you need to talk to the plane, the pilot is waiting for an inspection. You can reach him on radio channel 121.65.
DELTA 1063
Yes, sir. Delta 1063 here. We had to shut down the right-side motor because we had a bird ingestion. Wondering if you can take a look at it. We're just going to take a look at it, make sure there's no fire or anything, so we can go to the gate and get these people off.
DELTA 1063
Yes, sir. Delta 1063 here. We had to shut down the right-side engine because a bird flew into it. We’re hoping you can check it out to make sure there’s no fire or damage, so we can eventually get to the gate and let these passengers off.
EMERGENCY CREW
Roger that, 1063. I'm behind you. I'm coming around to your left side now, Delta 1063. I'm scanning. Everything looks good. I've got your number one engine on idle speed.
EMERGENCY CREW
Understood, 1063. I’m right behind you. I’m pulling around to your left side now, Delta 1063. I’m scanning the aircraft... everything looks good from here. I see your left engine is just running at a normal idle.
DELTA 1063
Okay, I've got you in my mirror.
DELTA 1063
Okay, I can see you in my mirror.
EMERGENCY CREW
Roger that.
EMERGENCY CREW
Copy that.
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