# NTSB NYC00LA007: Boeing - Canada DHC-8-102, N818EX, Philadelphia, PA, October 7, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1999, 22:30 local (Oct 7, 1999, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Philadelphia, PA
- Location: 39.9523° N, 75.1638° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Philadelphia, PA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9523&lon=-75.1638&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 15 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 10, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA007

## Probable cause

An in flight collision with birds.

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

The Captain stated that he was in cruise flight, about 5 nautical miles north of the airport, approximately 3,000 feet mean-sea-level, when he encountered multiple bird strikes.

## Factual narrative

On October 6, 1999, about 2230 Eastern Daylight Time, a Bombardier de Havilland DHC-8-102, N818EX, sustained substantial damage while in cruise flight, approximately 5 miles north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The airplane was owned by Seventh Leasing Corporation, and operated by Allegheny Airlines Inc.  The 3 crewmembers and 12 passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; destined for Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), Allentown Pennsylvania.  An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the passenger flight conducted under 14 CFR part 121.

According to the Captain's written statement:

"Multiple large bird strikes at 3000' MSL about 5 NM North of PHL.  Had departed PHL for ABE, and leveled of(f) at cruise.  While we suspected multiple strikes, only one impact sound was heard as apparently all birds hit at the same time.  Extensive damage was not suspected, so flight continued to ABE..."

The airplane was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector.  The Inspector observed an approximate 12-inch hole in the front spar of the left wing.  He also noted damage to the propellers and radome.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N818EX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N818EX-2005-03-24), registration cancelled 2005-03-24, S/N 235, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing - Canada (de Havilland) DHC-8-102
- Registry model: [Boeing DHC-8-102](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-dhc-8-102) (registry code 1386002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw120) (registry code 52114, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 235
- Airframe hours: 21363
- Engines: P&W PW120A 2000 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Allegheny Airlines Inc.
- Registered owner: Seventh Hfc Leasing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 4, 1999, 307 hours before
- Departed: PHL, PA
- Destination: ABE, ALLENTOWN, PA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 19,260 total, 6,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHL, 180 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 19991006037309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991006037309A), Oct 6, 1999: Dhav DHC8102, Philadelphia, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Allegheny commuter airlines flight 3653 (ALO3653), enroute from phl to abe, was 5-10 miles north of phi at 3,000' when it struck a flock of birds.…

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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