Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 12 November 2003
Aircraft Type: Saab 340B
Owner/operator: Mesaba Airlines
Registration Number: N442XJ
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Unknown
Status: Substantial
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 25
Component Affected: Vertical stabilizer front lower spare, vertical stabilizer to the rear lower spare, dorsal fin right hand skin panels and support structure, flange damage to rudder lower support rib for leading edge panel, and the left hand wing front spare.Vertical stabilizer front lower spare, vertical stabilizer to the rear lower spare, dorsal fin right hand skin panels and support structure, flange damage to rudder lower support rib for leading edge panel, and the left hand wing front spare.
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
An air carrier flight experienced significant damage during approach due to a collision with geese. The pilots reported a ‘thump’ and observed normal engine indications but did not identify any unusual events. Visual inspection revealed no damage to the aircraft’s wings. The flight landed without incident at its destination.An air carrier flight experienced significant damage during approach due to a collision with geese. The pilots reported a ‘thump’ and observed normal engine indications but did not identify any unusual events. Visual inspection revealed no damage to the aircraft’s wings. The flight landed without incident at its destination.

Description

The air carrier flight was substantially damaged when it impacted geese while being vectored for approach. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilots heard a “thump.” They reportedly watched the engine indications and saw nothing unusual. They visually inspected their respective wings and saw no damage. The airplane landed without incident at its destination. Inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the following areas: the vertical stabilizer front lower spare, the vertical stabilizer to the rear lower spare, the dorsal fin right hand skin panels and support structure, flange damage to rudder lower support rib for leading edge panel, and the left hand wing front spare. Probable Cause: The in-flight collision with geese during approach. The contributing factor was the bright night conditions

Primary Cause

In-flight collision with geese during approach.In-flight collision with geese during approach.

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