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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

November 25, 2013 · De Havilland DHC8 - 102 102 · N808EX

Philadelphia, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 25, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (40 uninjured)
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC8 - 102 102
Tail Number
N808EX
Operator
Piedmont Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA14CA031

On November 24, 2013, at approximately 2040 EST, a De Havilland DHC-8-102, N808EX, operated by Piedmont Airlines as flight 4314, encountered a flock of a birds during the descent into Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The airplane was located about 16 miles north of KPHL, and at about 4000 feet mean sea level (msl), when multiple birds impacted the fuselage and wing of the airplane . The flight crew notified air traffic control, and did not declare an emergency. None of the 40 passengers and crew onboard were injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight between Greater Binghamton Airport (KBGM), Binghamton, New York, and KPHL. The captain was the pilot flying, and stated that flight conditions were night VMC with no moon. The flight crew stated they were at 4,000 feet msl, at about 190 knots airspeed, and on the downwind leg for runway 26 when the bird strike occurred. The flight crew heard multiple thuds and saw some of the birds through the windshield. After the impacts, the flight crew checked instruments, disconnected autopilot, checked for changes in flight characteristics and did not note any changes. The first officer notified ATC of the bird strike and did not declare an emergency. The flight landed uneventfully at KPHL. Post flight maintenance inspection revealed substantial damage to the left front wing spar, left wing skin, and vertical stabilizer deice boot.

NTSB Probable Cause

an inadvertent encounter with several birds during approach that resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.

Full Narrative

On November 24, 2013, at approximately 2040 EST, a De Havilland DHC-8-102, N808EX, operated by Piedmont Airlines as flight 4314, encountered a flock of a birds during the descent into Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The airplane was located about 16 miles north of KPHL, and at about 4000 feet mean sea level (msl), when multiple birds impacted the fuselage and wing of the airplane . The flight crew notified air traffic control, and did not declare an emergency. None of the 40 passengers and crew onboard were injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight between Greater Binghamton Airport (KBGM), Binghamton, New York, and KPHL. The captain was the pilot flying, and stated that flight conditions were night VMC with no moon. The flight crew stated they were at 4,000 feet msl, at about 190 knots airspeed, and on the downwind leg for runway 26 when the bird strike occurred. The flight crew heard multiple thuds and saw some of the birds through the windshield. After the impacts, the flight crew checked instruments, disconnected autopilot, checked for changes in flight characteristics and did not note any changes. The first officer notified ATC of the bird strike and did not declare an emergency. The flight landed uneventfully at KPHL. Post flight maintenance inspection revealed substantial damage to the left front wing spar, left wing skin, and vertical stabilizer deice boot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:40 EST
Nearest AirportPhiladelphia International Air (15nm NNE)
Runway26
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland DHC8 - 102 102
Tail NumberN808EX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPiedmont Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt And Whitney · PW120A · Turboprop · 2000 | Pratt And Whitney · PW120A · Turboprop · 2000
Seats41

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (40 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured40
Total40
Crew 1Age 33 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 28 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind290° @ 7 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / -2 C
Altimeter30.44 inHg
Observation Time00:54

Appendix: Source Data