Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Date: | Wednesday 17 August 1983 |
Time: | 07:24 |
Type: | Learjet 25B |
Operator: | Northeast Jet |
Registration: | N108PA |
MSN: | 25-195 |
First flight: | 1975 |
Total airframe hrs: | 4758 |
Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
Location: | 1,6 km (1 mls) S of Wilmington-Greater Wilmington Airport, DE (ILG) ( United States of America)
|
Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
Nature: | Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger |
Departure airport: | Wilmington-Greater Wilmington Airport, DE (ILG/KILG), United States of America |
Destination airport: | Danville Municipal Airport, VA (DAN/KDAN), United States of America |
Narrative:After lift-off a flock of 200 Starling birds approached from left to right at about 400 ft. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft behind and above the birds in an attempt to avoid them. In doing so the airplane attained steep climbing angle of probably 40-45 degrees. Both engines flamed out and the pilot carried out a forced landing on a road. Some bird residue was found on the engines.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
aircraft performance,climb capability..exceeded
aircraft handling..improper..pilot in command
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
maneuver..performed..pilot in command
aircraft performance,two or more engines..inoperative
Classification:
Bird strike
Forced landing outside airport
Sources:
» NTSB
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Wilmington-Greater Wilmington Airport, DE to Danville Municipal Airport, VA as the crow flies is 472 km (295 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.