13 Dec 2014: BOEING 737 76N — Southwest Airlines, Co.

13 Dec 2014: BOEING 737 76N (N7710A) — Southwest Airlines, Co.

No fatalities • Baltimore, MD, United States

Probable cause

an inadvertent encounter with birds during approach to land that resulted in substantial damage.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

On December 12, 2014, about 2030 eastern standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 3118, a Boeing 737-76N, registration N7710A, encountered multiple bird strikes while on approach to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore, Maryland. None of the passengers or crew members were injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 as a domestic passenger flight and originated from San Antonio International Airport, San Antonio, Texas.

The captain stated that while descending through about 2,500 feet on approach to land the airplane struck multiple birds. Inspection of the airplane after landing reveled substantial damage to the 178 forward pressure bulkhead and left wing fixed leading edge main rib.

Contributing factors

  • cause Contributed to outcome

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 290/10kt, vis 10sm

Related events

Same aircraft

  • 16 Apr 2026 — BOEING 737-8 (SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO)
  • 15 Apr 2026 — Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Southwest Airlines)
  • 5 Apr 2026 — BOEING 737 8SA (Malta Air)
  • 29 Mar 2026 — Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 (Ryanair)
  • 29 Mar 2026 — BOEING 737 8AS (Malta Air)

Same operator

  • 8 Sep 2009 — BOEING 737 3G7 (Southwest Airlines, Co.)

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