What happened
On August 10, 2010, at approximately 1340 mountain daylight time, an Embraer EMB-145XR, registration N14105, was on a downwind leg for a visual approach to Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah. The aircraft, operated by Express Jet Airlines, was flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 200 degrees at 16 knots.
As the aircraft was slowing from 280 knots to 190 knots, approximately five miles north of the airport and at 6,900 feet above ground level, the captain looked down at the instrument panel. Upon looking back outside, the captain observed at least six seagulls directly in front of the aircraft. Due to the close proximity, the crew could not perform evasive maneuvers. One bird struck the aircraft forward of the windscreen.
The impact caused a section of the aircraft skin, approximately three feet long, to fold back between the nose cone and the windscreen. The bird penetrated the forward avionics compartment, resulting in the loss of several primary instruments. The captain transferred control to the first officer, who completed the visual approach without further incident. There were no injuries among the two flight crew members, two cabin crew members, or the 46 passengers.
The investigation
Maintenance personnel identified the remains of the bird as a White Pelican. Data from the Utah Water Science Center indicates that the Great Salt Lake hosts one of the largest White Pelican colonies in North America, noting that adult birds can weigh up to 20 pounds. The investigation confirmed that the bird penetrated the aircraft skin and entered the forward avionics bay.