CHI99LA085

The crew reported that approximately 24 nautical miles from the flight's destination, at 2,900 feet mean sea level, they encountered a flock of 20 to 30 Canadian geese while the aircraft was flying in a broken cloud layer. The crew stated that one goose impacted the outboard leading edge of the right wing, puncturing a hole through the leading edge and rupturing the fuel tank. The crew stated that the aircraft began to shake and the crew shut down the right engine. The crew declared an emergency with Air Traffic Control and was able to complete the flight to General Mitchell International.

On February 8, 1999, at 1135 central standard time (CST), a Beech 1900D, N148SK, piloted by an Airline Transport Pilot, sustained substantial damage following an in-flight impact with a Canadian goose. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 as a passenger carrying flight. The flight was operating on an instrument flight plan. The 2 crew members and 12 passengers reported no injuries. The flight departed Kent County International, Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 1053 CST, and was en route to General Mitchell International, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

According to the crew's written statement, they reported that approximately 24 nautical miles from the flight's destination, at 2,900 feet mean sea level, they encountered a flock of 20 to 30 Canadian geese while the aircraft was flying in a broken cloud layer. The crew stated that one goose impacted the outboard leading edge of the right wing, puncturing a hole through the leading edge and rupturing the fuel tank. The crew stated that the aircraft began to shake and the crew shut down the right engine. The crew declared an emergency with Air Traffic Control and was able to complete the flight to General Mitchell International.