Probable cause
The airplane’s impact with birds during approach.
NTSB analysis
The captain and co-pilot reported that, about 1 nm from the final approach fix and about 4,000 ft above the ground, the airplane shuddered. During this time the co-pilot heard multiple loud thuds and realized they had collided with a flock of birds. The flight crew did not detect any unusual flight characteristics for the remainder of the flight and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the inboard leading edge of the left wing. The flight crew reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA335 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 3, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Nearest airport
- Salt Lake City International A (SLC)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 560XL
- N-number
- N827JS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2000
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
- Purpose of flight
- UNK
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.