# NTSB DEN84FA021: Convair 580, N7517U, Sioux Falls, SD, November 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1983, 19:39 local (Nov 7, 1983, 01:39 UTC)
- Place: Sioux Falls, SD
- Location: 43.5500° N, 96.7003° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sioux Falls, SD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5500&lon=-96.7003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 33 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16181
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16181/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA021

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A BIRD DURING THE LANDING APPROACH AT NIGHT. THE CAPTAIN WHO WAS FLYING THE ACFT WAS STRUCK IN THE FACE BY THE BIRD AND FLYING GLASS. THE CO-PLT COMPLETED THE LANDING DUE TO INCAPACITATION OF THE CAPT. INVESTIGATIONREVEALED THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN PENETRATED BY A TWO POUND BIRD. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS SPECIFY THAT THE WINDSHIELD WITHSTAND, WITHOUT PENETRATION, THE IMPACT OF A FOUR POUND BIRD AT CRUISE SPEED. THE ACFT WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 190 KTS AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT. THE LANDING WAS COMPLETED BY THE CO-PLT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7517U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7517U-1997-01-27), registration cancelled 1997-01-27, S/N 13 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONVAIR 580
- Registry model: [Convair 340](https://openairdocs.org/model/convair-340) (registry code 242270A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13
- Airframe hours: 43266
- Engines: ALLISON 50-1-D13 4000 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Republic Airlines, doing business as Republic Airlines
- Registered owner: Republic Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: SUX, SIOUX CITY, IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FSD, Sioux Falls, runway 33, 6,658 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,175 total, 162 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSD

## 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 19831106069349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831106069349A), Nov 6, 1983: Cvac STCAPJC, Sioux Falls, SD, Minor damage. Bird strike occurred during approach landing seriously injuring captain. Co pilot made landing.

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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