Incident Overview
On 6 October 2016, a Bombardier DHC-8-Q400 aircraft experienced a bird strike while approaching runway 11 at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). The bird impacted the forward section of the aircraft near the nose cone. A subsequent special inspection found no damage to the aircraft.
Aircraft and Occupants
The aircraft was a Bombardier DHC-8-Q400. There were 46 occupants on board, all of whom were uninjured. No fatalities, serious injuries, or minor injuries were reported.
Investigation Findings
The investigation, conducted by the aircraft operator under the oversight of the State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation, determined that the cause of the incident was the presence of a bird on the aircraft's flight path. Weather conditions on the day were not a contributing factor.
Preventive Actions
In response to the incident, the operator implemented several preventive measures:
- Increased inspections of the airport's maneuvering area due to heightened bird activity.
- Conducted surveys of the airport vicinity for pigeon breeding sites.
- Adjusted settings on the stationary bird deterrent system (BirdGard).
- Ongoing monitoring of the airport terrain and fence integrity.
- Carried out culling of animals that pose a risk to aviation safety.
No safety recommendations were issued by the commission, and the investigation was closed on 8 February 2017.