Probable cause
An in-flight collision with a bird while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern during a visual approach.
NTSB analysis
While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for the destination airport, the flying pilot transferred his focus from the instrument panel to outside the airplane. Immediately thereafter, he noticed a flock/formation of large birds directly ahead. With the airplane in such close proximity of the birds, he had no time to take evasive action. One of the birds impacted the airplane just aft of the nose cone. The bird, which was later tentatively identified as a White Pelican, penetrated the airplane's skin and entered the forward avionics bay. Neither flightcrew member had seen the birds in time for evasive action to be taken.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA395 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 10, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Nearest airport
- Salt Lake City International (KSLC)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Embraer EMB-145XR
- N-number
- N14105
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.