Friday, June 08, 2018

de Havilland Dash 8-100, N815EX, operated by Piedmont Airlines d/b/a US Airways Express: Accident occurred August 10, 2014 near Harrisburg International Airport (KMDT), Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N815EX

Location: Harrisburg, PA
Accident Number: DCA14CA147
Date & Time: 08/10/2014, 0605 EDT
Registration: N815EX
Aircraft: DEHAVILLAND DHC 8 102
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 20 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 121: Air Carrier - Scheduled

Analysis 

On August 10, 2014 at about 0605 eastern daylight time, a deHavilland DHC-8-100, N815EX, operated by Piedmont Airlines d.b.a. USAirways Express flight 4206, struck a flock of geese during the takeoff roll from Middletown Harrisburg International Airport (KMDT), Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. There were no injuries to the passengers or crew and the airplane sustained damage. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight between KMDT and Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The captain was the pilot flying and the first officer was the pilot monitoring. According to the flight crew, about 15 seconds into the takeoff roll and prior to V1, the captain observed a large group of geese flying from right to left in front of the airplane. He immediately initiated a rejected takeoff as the airplane impacted multiple geese on the front windshield and the right engine propeller, which caused a severe vibration. The flight crew shut down the right engine as the airplane slowed and returned to the gate.

Examination of the airplane indicated damage to the right propeller, a broken passenger window, and damage to the fuselage skin and stringers near the broken window.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
the airplanes collision with geese during the takeoff roll.

Findings

Environmental issues
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Effect on equipment (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff-rejected takeoff
Birdstrike (Defining event) 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor
Age: 64, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/08/2014
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 
Flight Time:  36000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 18000 hours (Total, this make and model), 205 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 67 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Co-Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 30, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/14/2014
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  4022 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3662 hours (Total, this make and model), 223 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 75 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: DEHAVILLAND
Registration: N815EX
Model/Series: DHC 8 102 103
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1992
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Transport
Serial Number: 321
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 41
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/09/2014, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 34500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 53834 Hours
Engines: 2 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time:  at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt and Whitney
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: PW120A
Registered Owner: PIEDMONT AIRLINES INC
Rated Power: 2000 hp
Operator: PIEDMONT AIRLINES INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Flag carrier (121)
Operator Does Business As: US Airways Express
Operator Designator Code: HNAA 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dawn
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMDT
Observation Time: 0556 EDT
Distance from Accident Site:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 15°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  9 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Harrisburg, PA (MDT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time:  EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D 

Airport Information

Airport: HARRISBURG INTL (MDT)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 309 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 13
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 10002 ft / 200 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 3 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 17 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 20 None
Latitude, Longitude:  40.193333, -76.762778 (est)

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