CRJ2, vicinity Greenville, MS USA, 2025
CRJ2, vicinity Greenville, MS USA, 2025
Summary
On 2 January 2025, a Mitsubishi CRJ 200LR was on final approach to Greenville, Mississippi, at night when it struck a flock of previously unseen large birds. The engines were unaffected but the bird strikes caused significant airframe impact damage with secondary consequences for some primary flight instrumentation. The approach and landing were completed without further event, and the bird species involved was identified as Greater White-Fronted Geese, which can weigh between 2 kg and 3 kg.
Flight Details
Aircraft
Type of Flight
Public Transport (Passenger)
Flight Origin
Intended Destination
Take-off Commenced
Yes
Flight Airborne
Yes
Flight Completed
Yes
Phase of Flight
Descent
Location - Airport
Airport
General
Tag(s)
Copilot less than 500 hours on Type,
PIC aged 60 or over
BS
Tag(s)
Large Birds,
Flocking Birds,
Significant Airframe Damage
LOC
Tag(s)
Degraded flight instrument display,
Bird or Animal Strike
Outcome
Damage or injury
Yes
Aircraft damage
Major
Non-aircraft damage
No
Non-occupant Casualties
No
Off Airport Landing
No
Ditching
No
Causal Factor Group(s)
Group(s)
Aircraft Operation
Safety Recommendation(s)
Group(s)
None Made
Investigation Type
Type
Independent
Description
On 2 January 2025, a Mitsubishi CRJ 200LR (N438SW) operated by Contour Airlines on a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Greenville as LF3502 experienced a significant multiple birdstrike. The aircraft was descending through 3,000 feet QNH in night visual meteorological conditions (VMC) as it made an ILS approach to its destination with just over 4 nm to go. The impact was followed by flight instrument malfunction. However, normal completion of the flight was not compromised, and the remainder of the approach was completed to a safe landing on runway 18L. There were no injuries to the 32 occupants.
Investigation
An accident investigation was carried out by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The 67-year-old captain had a total of 21,267 hours flying experience, which included 825 hours on type. The 24-year-old first officer, who was acting as pilot flying (PF) for the flight had 920 hours total flight experience, of which 104 hours was on type.
The flight crew reported they had not seen the birds before impact, and that at impact the aircraft speed was 200 KIAS with no observable consequence for the engines. The captain’s primary flight display (PFD) was rendered unusable with a ‘FAULT’ annunciation displayed on a black background, but the first officer’s PFD and standby instruments were not affected.
The post-flight inspection found substantial structural damage to the forward fuselage including to the main bulkhead, an aft frame, and to the aircraft skin in various places (see the illustrations below). Additional damage to the radome, right winglet and the vertical stabiliser was assessed as minor.
Damage to the right side of the nose. [Reproduced from the Official Report]
Damage to the left side of the nose. [Reproduced from the Official Report]
Damage to the right side of the forward fuselage. [Reproduced from the Official Report]
Damage to the right side windshield structure. [Reproduced from the Official Report]
The bird species involved was subsequently identified by feather analysis as the Greater White-Fronted Goose, with several struck.
The Final Report of the Investigation was published on 16 January 2025. No Safety Recommendations were made.
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