# NTSB MKC86LA025: Boeing 727-23, N1908, Bellevue, NE, November 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1985, 18:04 local (Nov 8, 1985, 00:04 UTC)
- Place: Bellevue, NE
- Coordinates: 41.150955, -95.919532 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1510&lon=-95.9195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 71 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34114/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA025

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT ARRIVAL, A BOEING 727, OPERATING AS AMERICAN FLT 334, WAS VECTORED FOR AN APCH TO RWY 32L. WHILE DESCENDING THRU ABOUT 5000 FT MSL, APRX 12 MI SOUTH OF THE ARPT, THE ACFT REPORTEDLY COLLIDED WITH A FLOCK OF SNOW GEESE. THE ATC CONTROLLER HAD BEEN AWARE OF POSSIBLE BIRD ACTIVITY TO THE NORTH, BUT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF BIRDS IN THE VICINITY OF THE BIRD STRIKE. THE AIRCREW CONTINUED THE APCH & LANDED. AFTER LANDING, BIRD STRIKE DAMAGE WAS FND ON THE RADOME, #6 SLAT, #1 & #3 LEADING EDGE FLAPS & ON THE FORWARD FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1908](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1908-2004-01-27), registration cancelled 2004-01-27, S/N 19183, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-23
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-23) (registry code 1384004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19183
- Airframe hours: 49806
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7 14000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aviation Leasing Group
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: DFW, DALLAS, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OMA, Eppley, runway 32L, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 15,976 total, 12,345 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 12 nm away

## 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 19851107057779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851107057779A), Nov 7, 1985: Boeing 72723, Omaha, NE, Substantial damage. Struck a flock of white snow geese while descending through 5000 feet at night. A safe landing was made.

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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