Accident Overview
On December 12, 2014, at approximately 2030 eastern standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 3118 experienced multiple bird strikes while on approach to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore, Maryland. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-76N, registered as N7710A, operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as a domestic passenger flight from San Antonio International Airport, San Antonio, Texas.
Sequence of Events
According to the captain's account, the airplane was descending through about 2,500 feet on approach to land when it struck multiple birds. The flight crew continued the approach and landed without further incident. None of the passengers or crew members sustained injuries.
Damage
Following landing, inspection of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the 178 forward pressure bulkhead and the left wing fixed leading edge main rib. The extent of the damage was classified as substantial under regulatory definitions.