Pilot Debrief

EMBRAER ERJ 170-200 LR near Minneapolis, MN — 2010-11-15

Final reportCEN11LA072
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Date
2010-11-15
Location
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Airport
KMSP
Aircraft
EMBRAER ERJ 170-200 LR
Registration
N604CZ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The in-flight collision with a flock of birds during climb.

NTSB narrative

The regional jet collided with a flock of large birds shortly after takeoff as it climbed through 5,000 feet mean sea level. The flight crew reported that, although there were no observed flight control or engine anomalies, they elected to return to the departure airport and the captain subsequently completed an uneventful visual approach and landing. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed substantial damage to the radar dome and its underlying structural components. The forward pressure bulkhead web contained a dent and puncture. The left engine compressor section exhibited damage that was consistent with a bird strike.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Environmental

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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