What happened
On November 23, 1962, at roughly 12:24 e.s.t., a Vickers-Armstrongs Viscount Model 745D, registration N7430, crashed into a forested region approximately six miles west-southwest of Ellicott City, Maryland. The aircraft, operated by United Air Lines, was performing a scheduled flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Washington, D.C. While cruising at its designated altitude of 6,000 feet, the plane encountered a group of Whistling Swans.
During this encounter, the aircraft struck at least two birds. The first bird hit the right horizontal stabilizer but caused only minor surface damage. However, a second swan impacted the left horizontal stabilizer, penetrating the structure and causing a dent in the elevator upon exiting. This impact compromised the structural integrity of the tail section.
The resulting loss of control led the aircraft to strike the ground in an inverted, nose-low position. The accident resulted in 17 fatalities, comprising thirteen passengers and four crew members.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the primary factor in the crash was the structural failure of the left horizontal stabilizer. This component became too weak to maintain its integrity after being struck by a bird, which ultimately led to the pilot losing control of the aircraft.