What happened
On May 5, 2017, an AS 350 BA helicopter, registration PT-YSW, was performing a passenger transport flight from Porteirão, Goiás, to the National Aviation Aerodrome (SWNV) in Goiânia. While on final approach, approximately three miles from the runway, the aircraft collided with a black-headed vulture (*Coragyps atratus*).
The impact caused the aircraft's windshield to break. The pilot performed a precautionary landing in an open field to assess the damage. After determining the aircraft's condition, the pilot proceeded to the destination airport. The incident resulted in minor injuries to the pilot, while the four passengers remained unharmed. The aircraft sustained minor damage restricted to the windshield.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the environmental factors contributing to the bird strike. Investigators identified that the Goiânia Sanitary Landfill, located approximately 3km from the runway, serves as a significant wildlife attraction. The landfill falls within the Aerodrome Safety Area (ASA), a 20km radius where land use is subject to restrictions due to wildlife hazards.
While the investigation noted that eight other bird strike-related events had occurred in Goiânia between 2010 and 2017, there were no official records in the CENIPA Form 15 database for that period. This lack of reporting hindered the development of a reliable database for mitigation strategies. The investigation also noted that the pilot's HMNT rating had been overdue since April 2017, though the operation was permitted under Brazilian regulations as the expiration was within the 30-day tolerance period.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a collision with a black-headed vulture during the final approach.
- The presence of the Goiânia Sanitary Landfill near the airfield acted as a contributing factor by attracting wildlife to the area.
- The pilot was qualified and experienced, and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits with a valid airworthiness certificate.