Preliminary information
On 5 April 2013, at approximately 1029 local time, a Boeing 737-4Q8, registration N279AD, ingested a turkey vulture in the right engine during takeoff from La Aurora Airport, Guatemala City, Guatemala. Inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the first stage compressor of the right engine. There were no injuries.
The incident is being investigated by the Departamento de Accidentes e Incidentes of the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC)
of Guatemala. The NTSB has appointed an Accredited Representative to assist the investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13 as the State of Design and Manufacture of the aircraft.
All inquiries should be directed to the DGAC at:
Departamento de Accidentes e Incidentes
Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC)
9 Ave. 14-75
Aeropuerto Internacional La Aurora zona 13
www.dgacguate.com
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for DCA13WA072 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 5, 2013
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Guatemala City, GT
- Highest injury
- None
Boeing B737
- N-number
- N279AD
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Minor
- Operating rule
- Part 129 (foreign air carrier)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.