# NTSB ANC97LA056: Boeing 747-400, Anchorage, AK, April 12, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1997, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.159938, -149.989837 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1599&lon=-149.9898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2989
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2989/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA056

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a large bird.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - bird(s) (cause)

## Analysis

A foreign registered, international cargo flight, operated under Title 14 CFR Part 129, landed during visual meteorological conditions.  After taxiing to parking, the crew noticed damage to the left wing.  Examination of the damage revealed evidence of a large bird strike.  The leading edge of the left wing, about 2 feet outboard of the number 2 engine, was dented and buckled.  Several rivets were broken, and the leading edge spar was damaged.  A small portion of upper wing composite material was missing.  The crew indicated no bird impact was noticed during the landing approach.  The landing lights were utilized during the approach.  The airport's automatic terminal information service (ATIS) included a caution about birds in the vicinity of the airport.

## Factual narrative

On April 12, 1997, about 0900 Alaska daylight time, a Cathay Pacific Airways Boeing 747-400, VR-HUK, struck a large bird during the approach phase of flight into the Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as an instrument flight rules (IFR) international cargo flight under Title 14 CFR Part 129 when the accident occurred.  The airplane, operated as flight CX-084, sustained substantial damage.  The captain and first officer, and two relief crew members, were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at the Hong Kong International Airport, on a local date of April 12, 1997, at 1556.  The stop in Anchorage was part of a continuing flight to Toronto, Canada.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported the airplane landed and taxied to a parking spot without the crew having any knowledge of a bird strike.  A postflight inspection of the airplane revealed an impact with the leading edge of the left wing, about 2 feet outboard of the number 2 engine.  The inspector reported the leading edge of the wing was dented and buckled, several rivets were broken, and the leading edge spar was damaged.  A small portion of upper wing composite material was missing.

In the pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the operator, the crew indicated no bird impact was noticed during the landing approach.  The landing lights were utilized during the approach.  The airport's automatic terminal information service (ATIS) included a caution about birds in the vicinity of the airport.

## Aircraft

- Registration: VRHUK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 747-400
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: Rolls-Royce RB211-524G 58000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 129
- Registered owner: Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: HKG, HONG KONG
- Destination: ANC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ANC, Anchorage International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,526 total, 3,015 in this make and model, 9,251 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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