# NTSB CHI01LA033: Saab 340-B, N402XJ, Aberdeen, SD, November 9, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 8, 2000, 18:00 local (Nov 9, 2000, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Aberdeen, SD - Coordinates: 45.460075, -98.479934 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4601&lon=-98.4799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 24 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50621 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50621/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA033 ## Probable cause the impact with the flock of snow geese. ## 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 The Captain reported the airplane was on the ILS approach at 600 feet above ground level when the airplane impacted a flock of snow geese. The Captain reported he decided to continue the approach for landing. Once on the ground the flight attendant informed the Captain there was a hole in the side of the airplane and that a passenger was injured. The Captain reported a doctor on board the airplane removed a piece of metal from the passenger's leg and administered first aid prior to the ambulance arriving. The Captain reported, "When we looked at aircraft 402 it was pretty messed up. There were geese in both intakes, three holes in the side, prop blades with pieces missing out of them, a side window busted, both front windows hit and one wiper gone, the other broke off to the side, one gear was hit and one flap." ## Factual narrative On November 8, 2000, at 1800 central standard time, a SAAB-340-B, N402XJ, operated by Mesaba Aviation, Inc., was substantially damaged when the airplane impacted a flock of geese during an approach for landing. The windshield wiper was torn from the airplane. The left composite propeller exhibited impact marks and chordwise scratching on the face of a propeller blade. Metal fragments punctured the left side of the fuselage and one of the fragments hit a passenger in the leg. The airplane landed without incident. The passenger was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment for minor injuries. The pilot, copilot, flight attendant, and the remaining 21 passengers were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 121 Mesaba flight 2831 had departed Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Minneapolis, Minnesota, and landed at the Aberdeen Regional Airport (ABR), Aberdeen, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan was filed. The Captain reported the airplane was on the ABR ILS Rwy 31 approach at 600 feet above ground level when the airplane impacted a flock of snow geese. The Captain reported he decided to continue the approach for landing. Once on the ground the flight attendant informed the Captain there was a hole in the side of the airplane and that a passenger was injured. The Captain reported a doctor on board the airplane removed a piece of metal from the passenger's leg and administered first aid prior to the ambulance arriving. The Captain reported, "When we looked at aircraft 402 it was pretty messed up. There were geese in both intakes, three holes in the side, prop blades with pieces missing out of them, a side window busted, both front windows hit and one wiper gone, the other broke off to the side, one gear was hit and one flap." ## Aircraft - Registration: N402XJ (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Saab 340-B - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402 - Airframe hours: 10191 - Engines: GE CT7-9B 1750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Mesaba Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Lambert Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 29, 2000, 75 hours before - Departed: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Destination: ABF - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ABR, Aberdeen Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,616 total, 1,814 in this make and model, 3,074 as pilot in command, 132 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 300° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ABR ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20001108038739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001108038739A), Nov 8, 2000: Saab 340B, Aberdeen, SD, Substantial damage. (-19) On November 8, 2000, at 1800 central standard time, a Saab-340-B, N402XJ, operated by mesaba aviation, inc., was substantially damaged when the airplane… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.