# NTSB MIA97IA237: Boeing 737-300, N602SW, Tampa, FL, August 21, 1997

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1997, 14:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Location: 27.8313° N, 82.5190° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from TAMPA INTL (TPA), within about 3 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8313&lon=-82.5190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 74 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 29, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97IA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97IA237

## Probable cause

in-flight collision with a bird.

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

While descending into Tampa at an altitude of 4,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the flight struck a 'large bird.'  The FO's No. 1 window shattered both panes of the windshield, sending glass into the cockpit, and into the forward galley. The flight landed without further incident.  The Captain and FO were taken to the hospital to have glass removed. According to the pilot's statement they saw other birds before the bird strike, and they described the birds that they had seen with wing spans of '4 feet.'  At the time of the bird strike, windshield heat was available and 'ON.'

## Factual narrative

On August 21, 1997, about 1405 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 737-300, N602SW, operated by Southwest Airlines Inc. (SWA1907), as a Title 14 CFR Part 121, regular scheduled passenger flight, was struck by a bird near Tampa, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan was filed.  The airplane received minor damage.  The airline transport captain, and the airline transport first officer (FO) received minor injuries, 3 flight attendants, and 71 passengers were not injured. The flight had originated from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 1305.

While descending into Tampa at an altitude of 4,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the flight struck a "large bird."  The FO's No. 1 window shattered both panes of the windshield, sending glass into the cockpit, and into the forward galley.  The flight landed without further incident.  The captain and FO were taken to the hospital to have glass removed.  According to the pilot's statement they saw other birds before the bird strike, and they described the birds that they had seen with wing spans of "4 feet."  At the time of the bird strike, windshield heat was available and "ON."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N602SW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N602SW-2024-07-17), registration cancelled 2024-07-17, S/N 27953, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 737-300
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-3H4](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-3h4) (registry code 138447K) (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: 27953
- Engines: Cfm CFM56 22000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Soutwest Airlines Inc.
- Registered owner: Fleet National Bank Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: FLL, FT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: TPA, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TPA, Tampa International, runway 36R, 8,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18,000 total, 14,500 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19970821031919I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970821031919I), Aug 21, 1997: Boeing 737300, Tampa, FL, Minor damage. (-23) No narrative available.

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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