Probable cause
An in-flight collision with a bird.
NTSB analysis
During the approach to land, the flight crew reported a bird strike to the leading edge of the right wing. The crew declared an emergency and made an uneventful landing at their destination. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a 12-inch-diameter hole in the leading edge of the right wing centered between the right engine nacelle and the right wing tip. The damaged area was covered in bird remains, which were identified as the remains of a Common Loon (Gavia immer). The average weight for the species is about 10.9 pounds.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11LA042 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 8, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Los Angeles, California
- Nearest airport
- Los Angeles International (LAX)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bombardier Inc DHC-8-402
- N-number
- N422QX
- 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.