Old Bird-Strike Story

[ShyFlyGuy]

Anyone ever heard of the one about the turboprop (of varying types) that was flying into an airport (of varying sizes and names) with a pond (or the ocean?) on final and took a goose (or some kind of bird) just below the pilot's (or copilot's) windshield, dislodging the wiper-blade and arm, sending it flying into the spinning blades of the prop, which then redirected the blade-unit into the cabin (aparently missing the ice-plate), striking a passenger in the foot, nailing him to the floor, sending him into a standing, screaming, hysteria of some sort, causing the FA to yell at him, all while the pilots execute a go-around to return to the field for an uneventful landing? Anyone?

I heard about it three years ago, and it sounds like a lot of other people have heard about it, but the details are lacking. Anyone know first (or second)-hand about this? Aircraft, airline, airport, bird, damage, injuries? An FAA report would be most-convincing.

Can anyone say, "Run-on sentence?" Check out the first sentence...

Just wondering...

Shy

 

[cathal]

True story. Happened on a Mesaba Saab going into Aberdeen, SD a few years ago.
I dunno about the FA yelling at him or the go around, but you have the gist of the story very correct.

 

[cargoflyr69]

Here is the report from the ntsb:

NTSB Identification: CHI01LA033 .
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Public Inquiries
Scheduled 14 CFR Part 121: Air Carrier operation of MESABA AVIATION, INC.
Accident occurred Wednesday, November 08, 2000 in ABERDEEN, SD
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/23/2001
Aircraft: Saab 340-B, registration: N402XJ
Injuries: 1 Minor, 24 Uninjured.

The Captain reported the airplane was on the ILS approach at 600 feet above ground level when the airplane impacted a flock of snow geese. The Captain reported he decided to continue the approach for landing. Once on the ground the flight attendant informed the Captain there was a hole in the side of the airplane and that a passenger was injured. The Captain reported a doctor on board the airplane removed a piece of metal from the passenger's leg and administered first aid prior to the ambulance arriving. The Captain reported, "When we looked at aircraft 402 it was pretty messed up. There were geese in both intakes, three holes in the side, prop blades with pieces missing out of them, a side window busted, both front windows hit and one wiper gone, the other broke off to the side, one gear was hit and one flap."

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
the impact with the flock of snow geese.

 

[Dutch]

You gotta love how the NTSB can state the obvious.

 

[ShyFlyGuy]

Thanks cargo,

Actually, now that I think about it, the guy who told it to me was with Mesaba and I believe he told me he'd talked to the pilots... goes by T-Handle on flightinfo. Good man.

Shy

 

[moscowcfi]

The only thing missing from the report is the following contributing factor: "Large metal tube filled with people traveling through the air."

 

[Weasel Keeper]

Kind of OT, but I wonder why I never heard from the Chicago Express guys on here about a "flock of geese strike" at FWA a few months ago.

No injuries, but their SF340B struck numerous geese and they parked it in our (SA) hangar...and what a mess that was! Both props needed blade changes, the FO's windscreen was impacted, there was blood n guts all over the ice shields and flaps on both sides, and a goose beak lodged in a deice boot. Ack!

 

[xjlifer]

I hit a goose on final to CMI when I flew for Midway airlines in a DO228 the goose must have hit the prop cause part of it came in the cabin and landed on a guys head! The 228 did not have a cabin door just a curtain and it was open when I looked back I saw people pointing to this guy who looked like a axe had struck him....red stuff all over his head. Turned out he had a small scratch on his head..( from the plexiglass) and the rest was bird guts.

That story made the paul harvey radio news....I guess that was my 15 minutes of fame.

 

[ATRedneck]

We had an ATR hit a flock going into EWR one night. It busted a big hole in one of the wings, jammed the engine controls, etc.

I think the crew was given an ALPA airmanship award for getting it on the ground in one piece.

 

[88_MALIBU]

I saw pics of the passenger seat that the wiper blade went through. There were splatters of human blood all over the leather seat. It was pretty crazy seeing the snow goose lodged into the belly pan... I looked and didnt see any bands on its legs for you hunters out there.lol

 

[ShyFlyGuy]

...I wonder why I never heard from the Chicago Express guys on here about a "flock of geese strike" at FWA a few months ago.

Because they're either interviewing for, in class for, or hired by Colgan.

Shy

 

[acaTerry]

Anyone ever heard of the one about the turboprop (of varying types) that was flying into an airport (of varying sizes and names) with a pond (or the ocean?) on final and took a goose (or some kind of bird) just below the pilot's (or copilot's) windshield, dislodging the wiper-blade and arm, sending it flying into the spinning blades of the prop, which then redirected the blade-unit into the cabin (aparently missing the ice-plate), striking a passenger in the foot, nailing him to the floor, sending him into a standing, screaming, hysteria of some sort, causing the FA to yell at him, all while the pilots execute a go-around to return to the field for an uneventful landing?

Shy

This sounds like one of those toe-bone connected to the foot bone connected to the ankle-bone connected to the leg bone....

Talk about being in the wrong place huh.

 

[trip]

I hit a Canadian Honker in the CRJ, right in front of my face on the captains windshield. Made a heii of a loud bang but MX could find no damage, just yellow goose fat. Funny those same windshields crack up on occasion for no good reason?

 

[treetopflyer]

what about the old wild turkey strike on runway 30 back in the days of the blueridger. the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** thing went through the aircraft just under the FO's window and splattered blood all over the cockpit at just under V1 ! they rejected the takeoff and when they taxiied back all that was left of the bird was a leg hanging out the hole in the fuselage. we tried to get mx to paint a turkey on the side, just under the window like the old fighter planes had on them. but alas, no dice.