Accident · 2003-01-08

NTSB case SEA03FA024 · Bombardier DHC-8-401 · Part 121

What the record says

Event date: 2003-01-08
Event type: Accident
Highest injury level: Serious injury
Aircraft: Bombardier DHC-8-401 (N409QX)
Operating rule: Part 121
Operator: operator not named in the NTSB record

Probable cause

The fracture and spalling of the inner-most pane of the aircraft's port side windshield while on a downwind for a night visual approach due to an imposed load beyond that required for windshield certification (multiple bird strikes). Factors include a dark night, and a flock of ducks (Lesser Scaups) flying in the location of the visual traffic pattern.

Source: NTSB case SEA03FA024

Flight crew

Flight-crew details for this event aren't in the NTSB database extract we hold (its coverage starts with 2008 events) — a gap in our data, not an absence of crew.

Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.

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