What happened
On April 6, 2010, at approximately 09:43 local time, a Boeing 737-700 operating an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 15 at Hamburg Airport experienced a significant bird strike. The aircraft was arriving from Munich on a course of approximately 297° at an altitude of 2,150 feet and a calibrated airspeed of 226 knots when it encountered an unknown number of birds.
The impact caused damage to several parts of the aircraft. Notably, the left front cockpit windshield shattered upon impact and became covered in blood, rendering outward visibility through that pane impossible for the captain. The right windshield was also smeared with blood, and the associated windshield wiper was torn off. Inside the cockpit, glass fragments were found scattered across a large area.
Despite the loss of visibility through the left pane, the crew continued the approach using the autopilot, and an automated landing was completed successfully. Following the landing, the crew manually taxied the aircraft to its parking position on the apron. The pilot in command sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The BFU examined the aircraft for impact marks and biological evidence. Investigators found impact traces on both sides of the aircraft nose and on both cockpit windshield panes. The right engine showed blood traces and nests of feathers within the fan area. Additionally, blood spatter was found on the underside of the wing near the engine nacelle and on the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer. A dent was also identified on the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer.
Feathers recovered from the engine nacelle were analyzed by the German Committee for the Prevention of Bird Strikes in Aviation (DAVVL). The analysis identified the birds as Bean Geese (*Anser albлось*), which typically weigh between 1,700 and 3,100 grams.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a bird strike involving Bean Geese during the final approach.
- The impact was severe enough to shatter the left cockpit windshield, though the pane did not suffer a complete penetration.
- The strike resulted in minor damage to the aircraft's exterior, including the windshield, engine nacelle, and horizontal stabilizers.