# NTSB DCA15CA037: Boeing 737, N7710A, Baltimore, MD, December 13, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 12, 2014, 20:30 local (Dec 13, 2014, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Baltimore, MD - Coordinates: 39.175277, -76.668334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1753&lon=-76.6683&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 145 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 90507 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA15CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90507/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90507 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA15CA037 ## Probable cause an inadvertent encounter with birds during approach to land that resulted in substantial damage. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing 737-76N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=13844CH), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing 737-76N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=13844CH), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis On December 12, 2014, about 2030 eastern standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 3118, a Boeing 737-76N, registration N7710A, encountered multiple bird strikes while on approach to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore, Maryland. None of the passengers or crew members were injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 as a domestic passenger flight and originated from San Antonio International Airport, San Antonio, Texas. The captain stated that while descending through about 2,500 feet on approach to land the airplane struck multiple birds. Inspection of the airplane after landing reveled substantial damage to the 178 forward pressure bulkhead and left wing fixed leading edge main rib. ## Factual narrative On December 12, 2014, about 2030 eastern standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 3118, a Boeing 737-76N, registration N7710A, encountered multiple bird strikes while on approach to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore, Maryland. None of the passengers or crew members were injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 as a domestic passenger flight and originated from San Antonio International Airport, San Antonio, Texas. The captain stated that while descending through about 2,500 feet on approach to land the airplane struck multiple birds. Inspection of the airplane after landing reveled substantial damage to the 178 forward pressure bulkhead and left wing fixed leading edge main rib. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7710A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7710A-2022-12-01), registration cancelled 2022-12-01, S/N 32656, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING 737 (76N) - Registry model: [Boeing 737-76N](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-76n) (registry code 13844CH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32656 - Year built: 2005 - Engines: CFM CFM56-7B 22000 lbs thrust turbo fan; CFM CFM56-7B 22000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Southwest Airlines, Co. - Registered owner: AFS Investments 56 LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: SAT, San Antonio, TX - Destination: BWI, Baltimore, MD - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BWI, Baltimore Washington Internati ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial, private, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 13,974 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 5, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 14,070 total, 1,166 in this make and model, 5,222 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: BWI ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 3, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90507. 640 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 599 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statements (item 2, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statements-Master.PDF 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.