What happened
On January 18, 2012, a Bombardier DHC-8-315, registration JA720A, operated by the Japan Coast Guard, was conducting a marine patrol flight over the East China Sea. The aircraft, carrying a crew of nine, departed from Naha Uotsurijima Airport for a mission destined for Ishigaki Airport.
While flying at 1,000 feet and a speed of 170 knots near Kitakojima Island, the aircraft performed a left turn. During this maneuver, the pilot in command identified four birds approximately 100 meters ahead. Despite attempts to react, the aircraft entered a head-on collision with one of the birds. The first officer also observed the birds but was unable to alert the pilot in time to execute an avoidance maneuver.
Following the impact, the pilot observed feathers and noted that the upper nose door had partially opened. Due to the potential for structural instability, the crew aborted the patrol mission and diverted to Ishigaki Airport. During the flight to the destination, the crew noted that the airspeed indicator on the left seat fluctuated inconsistently compared to the right seat, though the engines, electric systems, and flight controls remained operational. The aircraft landed safely at 18:04.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) examined the aircraft's flight data and cockpit voice recordings. While the digital flight data recorder did not register a specific shock or vibration from the impact, the cockpit voice recorder captured the sound of the strike at 17:11:17. The investigation also identified the species involved as a Masked Booby, weighing approximately 1.3 kg.
Findings
- The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft's forward structure, including a 60 cm by 90 cm area of damage to the upper nose section.
- Structural deformations were identified in the radome bulkhead, the GS antenna support, and Frame No. 7, which was bent into a V-shape.
- The bird strike occurred so rapidly after the birds were spotted that the crew had insufficient time to perform evasive actions.