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Douglas DC-4 accident at La Guardia Airport, New York, 17 Feb 1942 (NC-16143)

La Guardia Airport, New York, US

On February 17, 1942, a Douglas DC-4 (registration NC-16143) operated by American Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near La Guardia Airport, New York. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the presence of a bird in the airplane's approach path, with the windshield glass's inadequate thickness to resist the impact as a contributing factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) accident report collection at the National Transportation Library; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) accident report collection at the National Transportation LibraryPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-08Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

the presence of a bird in the airplane's approach path, with the windshield glass's inadequate thickness to resist the impact as a contributing factor.

— the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) accident report collection at the National Transportation Library Determination

Accident narrative

At about midnight on February 17, 1942, an American Airlines Douglas DC-4, NC 16143, sustained minor damage when it struck a bird while landing at La Guardia Airport in New York. The nine passengers and three crew members were uninjured.

Nearing the end of Trip 18-39 from Boston, the airplane passed over the airport's edge floodlights at an altitude of about 60 feet and a speed of approximately 100 m.p.h. A bird broke through the right center windshield, and a portion of its body landed on the cockpit floor. Captain Charles H. Rickards was leaning over to operate the flap valve at the time. First Officer Clyde H. Proper, who was at the controls, saw the strike and dodged. With their vision unaffected, Proper completed the landing without further incident.

American Airlines subsequently initiated a program to install thicker windshield glass across its fleet. The Board determined the probable cause was the presence of a bird in the airplane's approach path, with the windshield glass's inadequate thickness to resist the impact as a contributing factor.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Feb 1942 Douglas DC-4 accident near La Guardia Airport, New York?

At about midnight on February 17, 1942, an American Airlines Douglas DC-4, NC 16143, sustained minor damage when it struck a bird while landing at La Guardia Airport in New York. The nine passengers and three crew members were uninjured. Nearing the end of Trip 18-39 from Boston, the airplane passed over the…

Were there any fatalities in the 17 Feb 1942 Douglas DC-4 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Feb 1942 involved a Douglas DC-4, registration NC-16143, operated by American Airlines, at La Guardia Airport, New York.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the presence of a bird in the airplane's approach path, with the windshield glass's inadequate thickness to resist the impact as a contributing factor.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) accident report collection at the National Transportation Library. Original record: https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/33055. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the public domain (Civil Aeronautics Board, U.S. Government work).