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Boeing 737-800 (N916NN)
Just enough early dawn light to illuminate the downtown skyline in the background makes this 5:38 AM snap of American's N916NN, the Reno Air heritage livery, a unique photo of it that can only be taken here.
Comments
The aviation photographer "spotter gods" were very definitely smiling down on me on this particular morning. If the Reno Air heritage schemebird had been assigned to any other gate when it arrived the previous evening to RON, I would not have been able to get this unique click of it because it would have either been facing "tail on" toward me or this side view of it would have been blocked by other RON aircraft at the terminal.
flawless photo Gary. 10 stars
very good nightshot!!!
Gorgeous shot Gary!
Sam and Uwe .. Thank you, guys. I appreciate your comments very much.
It wasn't just the photographer "spotter gods" that were out there. There was another God there that morning, and He was watching over an entire planeload of people. Right around 6:20 AM, this Reno Air schemed B738 taxied out to 16R to depart. It ended up being in a three-plane queue: a SW B737 (N460WN) was first, then this AA B738, and then a UA B739. The Southwest positioned on 16R and was cleared to go. Just after I heard the tower clear the SW flight to take off, I saw a flock of birds directly across from me landing on the divider between 16R and 16L (the NTZ space) and a few actually landed on 16R. I grabbed my cell and started punching in the number of the RNO Ops Desk and as I did I looked at the SW. It was already into its roll and was moving rapidly. I knew it was way too late for me to call any number so I tossed the cell aside. My camera was hanging from the neck strap; all I had time to do was bring it up, point it toward the SW, and press the shutter. I caught one shot of it just as it was emerging from the area where the birds were. It shows N460WN and (directly behind it) three birds; one has just been struck, a second has a severed wing and is beginning to cartwheel down, and a third is mostly a body impacting the concrete. I followed the SW and it rotated and climbed out normally. The tower had instructed this AA B738 to position on 16R, but then the SW pilots reported the strike. The SW pilots indicated the plane was handling normally and did not seem to have sustained damage. I snapped the SW during its climb and all appeared OK, so I began snapping the runway. It was not OK there; it was carnage. There were birds (and bird parts) in several places along 16R. All aircraft movement was stopped. Ops arrived and immediately closed 16R-34L. This Reno Air scheme was still positioned to go on 16R and the UA was at the hold line. There was at least one bird down in the divider between the runways and regretfully it was still alive. Ops checked 16L and there was no bird debris on it (16L was right below my location and I saw nothing on it either). So N916NN (this one) was repositioned to 16L and cleared to depart. Then the UA departed and a UPS heavy landed on 16L. In the meantime, Ops and a maintenance unit used D-handled scoop shovels to collect and bag at least four birds (including the one in the divider zone that had to be destroyed). I photoed the entire process but after they finished and 16R was reopened, I decided I'd had enough of "spotting' for the day and I left.
The SW flight did not return, and when I checked FA later I saw it had proceeded to destination, so the very fortunate fact is that no people were injured and the plane was apparently OK. But it was a heart-stopping 30 seconds or so when that plane went thru those birds. So a tragedy did not occur, and it must have been because God (or some supreme being) was guarding that flight.
It wasn't just the photographer "spotter gods" that were out there. There was another God there that morning, and He was watching over an entire planeload of people. Right around 6:20 AM, this Reno Air schemed B738 taxied out to 16R to depart. It ended up being in a three-plane queue: a SW B737 (N460WN) was first, then this AA B738, and then a UA B739. The Southwest positioned on 16R and was cleared to go. Just after I heard the tower clear the SW flight to take off, I saw a flock of birds directly across from me landing on the divider between 16R and 16L (the NTZ space) and a few actually landed on 16R. I grabbed my cell and started punching in the number of the RNO Ops Desk and as I did I looked at the SW. It was already into its roll and was moving rapidly. I knew it was way too late for me to call any number so I tossed the cell aside. My camera was hanging from the neck strap; all I had time to do was bring it up, point it toward the SW, and press the shutter. I caught one shot of it just as it was emerging from the area where the birds were. It shows N460WN and (directly behind it) three birds; one has just been struck, a second has a severed wing and is beginning to cartwheel down, and a third is mostly a body impacting the concrete. I followed the SW and it rotated and climbed out normally. The tower had instructed this AA B738 to position on 16R, but then the SW pilots reported the strike. The SW pilots indicated the plane was handling normally and did not seem to have sustained damage. I snapped the SW during its climb and all appeared OK, so I began snapping the runway. It was not OK there; it was carnage. There were birds (and bird parts) in several places along 16R. All aircraft movement was stopped. Ops arrived and immediately closed 16R-34L. This Reno Air scheme was still positioned to go on 16R and the UA was at the hold line. There was at least one bird down in the divider between the runways and regretfully it was still alive. Ops checked 16L and there was no bird debris on it (16L was right below my location and I saw nothing on it either). So N916NN (this one) was repositioned to 16L and cleared to depart. Then the UA departed and a UPS heavy landed on 16L. In the meantime, Ops and a maintenance unit used D-handled scoop shovels to collect and bag at least four birds (including the one in the divider zone that had to be destroyed). I photoed the entire process but after they finished and 16R was reopened, I decided I'd had enough of "spotting' for the day and I left.
The SW flight did not return, and when I checked FA later I saw it had proceeded to destination, so the very fortunate fact is that no people were injured and the plane was apparently OK. But it was a heart-stopping 30 seconds or so when that plane went thru those birds. So a tragedy did not occur, and it must have been because God (or some supreme being) was guarding that flight.
Well done Gary, another great scene. 5*+++
Great shot, Gary! And that is an incredible story! I'm relieved that it had a good outcome, at least for the SW flight. Keep up the great work, eh!
Great picture....10 stars
Mark, Dave, Greg, and Chris ... Hi to you all. And TYVM for commenting.
Greg ... Yeah, the gulls didn't fare so well. An exact number is very hard to determine (there were at least four), but for most of them it was all over in a couple seconds. The "survivors' weren't fazed at all, tho. When Ops and the maintenance man both drove off, a few birds returned to the same spot; I've got them in some pics I took just before I left. There's nothing out there except pavement, so I have no clue why they were so interested in that spot.
Greg ... Yeah, the gulls didn't fare so well. An exact number is very hard to determine (there were at least four), but for most of them it was all over in a couple seconds. The "survivors' weren't fazed at all, tho. When Ops and the maintenance man both drove off, a few birds returned to the same spot; I've got them in some pics I took just before I left. There's nothing out there except pavement, so I have no clue why they were so interested in that spot.
That is a great first person account of a bird strike & your attempt to get traffic stopped GREAT JOB.
ACTIVITY LOG
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Date | Aircraft | Origin | Destination | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
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03-May-2024 | B738 | Philadelphia Intl (KPHL) | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | 06:10AM EDT | 07:15AM CDT | Scheduled |
02-May-2024 | B738 | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | Philadelphia Intl (KPHL) | 07:17PM CDT | 09:46PM EDT | Scheduled |
02-May-2024 | B738 | Miami Intl (KMIA) | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | 03:38PM EDT | 05:28PM CDT | Scheduled |
02-May-2024 | B738 | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | Miami Intl (KMIA) | 10:15AM CDT | 02:03PM EDT | Scheduled |
02-May-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | 06:28AM CDT | 08:17AM CDT | Scheduled |
01-May-2024 | B738 | La Aurora Int'l (GUA / MGGT) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 03:01PM CST | 07:11PM CDT | 3:09 |
01-May-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | La Aurora Int'l (GUA / MGGT) | 11:51AM CDT | 01:29PM CST | 2:37 |
01-May-2024 | B738 | Raleigh-Durham Intl (KRDU) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 07:58AM EDT | 09:27AM CDT | 2:29 |
30-Apr-2024 | B738 | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | Raleigh-Durham Intl (KRDU) | 06:51PM CDT | 09:22PM EDT | 1:30 |
30-Apr-2024 | B738 | John F Kennedy Intl (KJFK) | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | 04:02PM EDT | 04:56PM CDT | 1:53 |
30-Apr-2024 | B738 | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | John F Kennedy Intl (KJFK) | 11:42AM CDT | 02:22PM EDT | 1:39 |
30-Apr-2024 | B738 | Miami Intl (KMIA) | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | 08:50AM EDT | 10:27AM CDT | 2:36 |
30-Apr-2024 | B738 | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | Miami Intl (KMIA) | 05:36AM EDT | 07:11AM EDT | 1:34 |
29-Apr-2024 | B738 | Miami Intl (KMIA) | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | 11:02PM EDT | 12:36AM EDT (+1) | 1:33 |
29-Apr-2024 | B738 | John F Kennedy Intl (KJFK) | Miami Intl (KMIA) | 06:04PM EDT | 08:31PM EDT | 2:26 |
29-Apr-2024 | B738 | Austin-Bergstrom Intl (KAUS) | John F Kennedy Intl (KJFK) | 11:18AM CDT | 03:31PM EDT | 3:12 |
29-Apr-2024 | B738 | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | Austin-Bergstrom Intl (KAUS) | 08:27AM EDT | 09:54AM CDT | 2:26 |
29-Apr-2024 | B738 | Indianapolis Intl (KIND) | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | 05:36AM EDT | 06:42AM EDT | 1:06 |
28-Apr-2024 | B738 | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | Indianapolis Intl (KIND) | 11:17PM EDT | 12:25AM EDT (+1) | 1:08 |
28-Apr-2024 | B738 | Cleveland-Hopkins Intl (KCLE) | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | 08:02PM EDT | 09:07PM EDT | 1:05 |
28-Apr-2024 | B738 | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | Cleveland-Hopkins Intl (KCLE) | 05:44PM EDT | 06:50PM EDT | 1:05 |
28-Apr-2024 | B738 | Detroit Metro Wayne Co (KDTW) | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | 02:10PM EDT | 03:29PM EDT | 1:18 |
28-Apr-2024 | B738 | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | Detroit Metro Wayne Co (KDTW) | 11:35AM EDT | 12:52PM EDT | 1:17 |
28-Apr-2024 | B738 | Memphis Intl (KMEM) | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | 07:17AM CDT | 09:32AM EDT | 1:15 |
27-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | Memphis Intl (KMEM) | 09:54PM CDT | 10:57PM CDT | 1:03 |
27-Apr-2024 | B738 | Colorado Sprgs Muni (KCOS) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 05:17PM MDT | 08:02PM CDT | 1:44 |
27-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | Colorado Sprgs Muni (KCOS) | 03:32PM CDT | 03:58PM MDT | 1:26 |
27-Apr-2024 | B738 | Queretaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO / MMQT) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 10:56AM CST | 01:58PM CDT | 2:02 |
27-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | Queretaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO / MMQT) | 08:23AM CDT | 09:18AM CST | 1:55 |
27-Apr-2024 | B738 | Indianapolis Intl (KIND) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 05:08AM EDT | 06:03AM CDT | 1:54 |
26-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | Indianapolis Intl (KIND) | 10:54PM CDT | 01:34AM EDT (+1) | 1:40 |
26-Apr-2024 | B738 | Memphis Intl (KMEM) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 05:42PM CDT | 07:09PM CDT | 1:27 |
26-Apr-2024 | B738 | San Antonio Intl (KSAT) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 04:35PM CDT | 05:31PM CDT | Cancelled |
26-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | San Antonio Intl (KSAT) | 02:49PM CDT | 03:41PM CDT | Cancelled |
26-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | Memphis Intl (KMEM) | 09:05AM CDT | 10:05AM CDT | 1:00 |
26-Apr-2024 | B738 | Houston Bush Int'ctl (KIAH) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 06:15AM CDT | 07:05AM CDT | 0:49 |
25-Apr-2024 | B738 | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | Houston Bush Int'ctl (KIAH) | 09:07PM CDT | 11:23PM CDT | 2:15 |
25-Apr-2024 | B738 | Cancun Int'l (CUN / MMUN) | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | 03:00PM EST | 06:49PM CDT | 3:49 |
25-Apr-2024 | B738 | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | Cancun Int'l (CUN / MMUN) | 10:09AM CDT | 01:15PM EST | 3:05 |
25-Apr-2024 | B738 | Tampa Intl (KTPA) | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | 06:30AM EDT | 07:59AM CDT | 2:29 |
24-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | Tampa Intl (KTPA) | 06:54PM CDT | 09:53PM EDT | 1:58 |
24-Apr-2024 | B738 | John F Kennedy Intl (KJFK) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 02:39PM EDT | 04:52PM CDT | 3:12 |
24-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | John F Kennedy Intl (KJFK) | 09:25AM CDT | 01:24PM EDT | 2:59 |
24-Apr-2024 | B738 | Eppley Airfield (KOMA) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 05:19AM CDT | 06:41AM CDT | 1:22 |
23-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | Eppley Airfield (KOMA) | 09:32PM CDT | 10:56PM CDT | 1:24 |
23-Apr-2024 | B738 | New Orleans Intl (KMSY) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 06:49PM CDT | 08:01PM CDT | 1:12 |
23-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | New Orleans Intl (KMSY) | 04:46PM CDT | 05:48PM CDT | 1:02 |
23-Apr-2024 | B738 | Ontario Intl (KONT) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 10:54AM PDT | 03:24PM CDT | 2:30 |
23-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | Ontario Intl (KONT) | 08:57AM CDT | 09:40AM PDT | 2:42 |
23-Apr-2024 | B738 | Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (KCVG) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 06:38AM EDT | 07:35AM CDT | 1:57 |
22-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (KCVG) | 08:53PM CDT | 11:34PM EDT | 1:40 |
22-Apr-2024 | B738 | John Glenn Columbus Intl Airport (KCMH) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 06:08PM EDT | 07:17PM CDT | 2:09 |
22-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | John Glenn Columbus Intl Airport (KCMH) | 01:50PM CDT | 04:59PM EDT | 2:08 |
22-Apr-2024 | B738 | Memphis Intl (KMEM) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 11:05AM CDT | 12:07PM CDT | 1:02 |
22-Apr-2024 | B738 | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | Memphis Intl (KMEM) | 08:23AM CDT | 09:26AM CDT | 1:02 |
22-Apr-2024 | B738 | Detroit Metro Wayne Co (KDTW) | Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 05:16AM EDT | 06:26AM CDT | 2:10 |
21-Apr-2024 | B738 | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | Detroit Metro Wayne Co (KDTW) | 09:26PM EDT | 10:41PM EDT | 1:14 |
21-Apr-2024 | B738 | Hewanorra Int'l (UVF / TLPL) | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | 02:43PM AST | 07:14PM EDT | 4:30 |
21-Apr-2024 | B738 | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | Hewanorra Int'l (UVF / TLPL) | 09:32AM EDT | 01:19PM AST | 3:47 |
21-Apr-2024 | B738 | Baltimore/Washington Intl (KBWI) | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | 06:30AM EDT | 07:37AM EDT | 1:07 |
20-Apr-2024 | B738 | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | Baltimore/Washington Intl (KBWI) | 08:04PM CDT | 10:19PM EDT | 1:15 |
20-Apr-2024 | B738 | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | Chicago O'Hare Intl (KORD) | 06:08PM EDT | 06:46PM CDT | 1:38 |
20-Apr-2024 | B738 | Cleveland-Hopkins Intl (KCLE) | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | 01:55PM EDT | 03:12PM EDT | 1:17 |
20-Apr-2024 | B738 | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | Cleveland-Hopkins Intl (KCLE) | 11:19AM EDT | 12:22PM EDT | 1:02 |
20-Apr-2024 | B738 | John F Kennedy Intl (KJFK) | Charlotte/Douglas Intl (KCLT) | 08:05AM EDT | 09:33AM EDT | 1:28 |
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