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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 9, 2000 · Saab 340-B · N402XJ

Aberdeen, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 9, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 24 uninjured
Location
Aberdeen, SD
Aircraft
Saab 340-B
Tail Number
N402XJ
Operator
Mesaba Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI01LA033

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."

NTSB Probable Cause

the impact with the flock of snow geese.

Full Narrative

On November 8, 2000, at 1800 central standard time, a SAAB-340-B, N402XJ, operated by Mesaba Aviation, Inc., was substantially damaged when the airplane impacted a flock of geese during an approach for landing. The windshield wiper was torn from the airplane. The left composite propeller exhibited impact marks and chordwise scratching on the face of a propeller blade. Metal fragments punctured the left side of the fuselage and one of the fragments hit a passenger in the leg. The airplane landed without incident. The passenger was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment for minor injuries. The pilot, copilot, flight attendant, and the remaining 21 passengers were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 121 Mesaba flight 2831 had departed Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Minneapolis, Minnesota, and landed at the Aberdeen Regional Airport (ABR), Aberdeen, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan was filed. The Captain reported the airplane was on the ABR ILS Rwy 31 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."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CST
Nearest AirportAberdeen Regional (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSaab 340-B
Tail NumberN402XJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMesaba Aviation
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGe · CT7-9B · Turboprop · 1750
Seats38

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 24 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured24
Total25
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind300° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data