Primary finding
Probable cause
an in-flight collision with a bird.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The scheduled commuter flight was approximately 800 feet msl and 15 miles from its destination when a small duck struck the copilot's windshield. The duck penetrated the windshield and glanced off the copilot's face.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 21, 1996, about 1355 Alaska daylight time, a Beech BE-99C airplane, N216CS, operated by Cape Smythe Air Service in visual meteorological conditions as scheduled commuter Flight 140 from Point Lay, Alaska, to Barrow, Alaska, sustained substantial damage when it collided in-flight with a duck. The airline transport certificated captain was not injured; the commercial certificated first officer received minor injuries. There were no passengers aboard the airplane. The Director of Operations for the company and the FAA inspector assigned to the company as the Principal Operations Inspector, reported the bird strike occurred about 15 miles south of Barrow on the 210 degree radial of the Barrow VORTAC. The flight was reported to be about 800 feet msl when a duck collided with the right side first officer's windshield. The duck penetrated the windshield, struck the first officer across the left facial cheek,and continued to the rear of the airplane. The first officer was treated for facial abrasions and released. The duck's remains have been tentatively identified by a State of Alaska Fish and Wildlife employee as a "Squaw Duck". The duck's estimated preimpact weight was approximately 1.5 pounds. The Operator indicated that the flight crew said that the duplex, electrically heated windshield was not being heated at the time of impact. The Operator also said the windshield had no known cracks or maintenance deficiencies. -