Incident Overview
During an approach to General Mitchell International Airport, a flight crew reported encountering a flock of 20 to 30 Canadian geese approximately 24 nautical miles from the destination. The aircraft was flying at an altitude of 2,900 feet mean sea level within a broken cloud layer when the birds appeared.
Impact and Immediate Actions
One of the geese struck the outboard leading edge of the right wing, puncturing a hole through the leading edge and rupturing the underlying fuel tank. According to the crew, the aircraft began to shake following the impact. In response, the crew shut down the right engine to mitigate potential hazards.
Emergency Declaration and Landing
The crew promptly declared an emergency with Air Traffic Control. Despite the damage, they were able to continue the flight and complete a safe landing at General Mitchell International Airport. No further incidents were reported during the remainder of the flight.
Crew Observations
The crew noted the presence of the flock and the specific impact point on the wing. They attributed the shaking to the bird strike and subsequent engine shutdown. The aircraft's ability to complete the flight suggests that the damage was contained and did not affect overall controllability.