What happened
On July 1, 2007, at 17:58 UTC, an Embraer 810C, registration PT-WBZ, was performing a passenger transport flight from Campo de Marte, São Paulo, to Fazenda Morro Vermelho, São Paulo. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and two passengers when it encountered a bird strike near the Jundiaí aerodrome (SBJD).
While cruising at 4,500ft (2,000ft AGL), a vulture (Family Cathartidae) collided with the left side of the aircraft's windshield. The impact was forceful enough to penetrate the windshield, causing the bird to strike the pilot in the face. The pilot sustained severe injuries, including the total loss of his left eyeball. Fortunately, a medical professional was among the passengers on board and was able to provide immediate assistance. The pilot successfully performed an emergency landing at SBJD, and the aircraft sustained light damage.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the environmental conditions and the structural vulnerability of the aircraft. Investigators determined that the aircraft was airworthy, properly weighted, and the pilot was fully qualified and experienced. The weather conditions were favorable for visual flight, but the presence of thermal currents was significant.
Analysis of the impact energy estimated that the kinetic energy applied to the windshield was approximately 13,000 to 13,500 pounds-force (roughly six tons), based on an estimated bird mass of 1.6kg and an airspeed of 150 KIAS. The investigation noted that the Embraer 810C is certified under RBAC/FAR 23 (normal category), which does not require windshields to meet specific bird-strike resistance criteria.
Furthermore, the investigation highlighted that the flight altitude of 4,500ft placed the aircraft within a high-risk zone. While the Condensation Level (NCC) was at approximately 4,537ft, the flight was operating in a corridor where the altitude was restricted by air traffic control due to the activation of a specific airspace sector (Vela area), preventing the pilot from climbing to a safer altitude above the primary bird activity zone.
Findings
- The collision with a vulture was the direct cause of the windshield penetration and subsequent pilot injury.
- The presence of large populations of scavenging birds in the region, attracted by urban waste and organic matter, increased the risk of collision.
- The flight altitude contributed to the accident, as the aircraft was operating within a layer of airspace with high bird density.
- The aircraft's windshield was not designed to withstand the kinetic energy of such an impact.
- Environmental influence (presence of wildlife) was the primary contributing factor.