Probable cause
an inadvertent encounter with birds during approach to land that resulted in substantial damage.
NTSB 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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA15CA037 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 13, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Nearest airport
- Baltimore Washington Internati (BWI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Boeing 737
- N-number
- N7710A
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2005
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 121 (airline)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.