Created Tuesday, Jan 4th 2022 12:07Z, last updated Monday, Feb 6th 2023 17:07Z
A SA Airlink Jetstream JS-41, registration ZS-NRJ performing a charter flight from Johannesburg to Venetia Mine (South Africa), was on approach to Venetia Mine when a bird impacted the right hand propeller causing one of the blades to separate and penetrate the cabin. The aircraft continued for a safe landing.
The airline confirmed the incident on Jan 4th 2022 stating: "Yesterday an Airlink Jetstream 41 aircraft operating a private charter flight struck a large bird upon landing at Venetia airfield. None of the passengers or crew were injured although the aircraft sustained substantial damage."
Venetia Mine is located at Coordinates S22.4481 E29.3377.
On Feb 2nd 2022 South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) released their preliminary report reporting the aircraft collided with a Kori Bustard during the landing roll on runway 08 at a speed of 104.6 knots over ground while the propellers were in the reverse thrust configuration (course pitch). The bird had become airborne from the grass area next to the runway on the right side, collided with the propeller causing one blade to sever. Several fragment of the blade penetrated the fuselage in the 3rd passenger seat row. The aircraft began to shake, the right hand enigne showed overtemperature. While slowing the aircraft on the runway the crew shut the engine down. Due the severe vibrations several of the right hand engine's components received damage.
The SACAA stated: "The accident was considered survivable as no person was seated at seat row number 3 during the accident. The cabin crew member reported that the passenger who was seated in row 3 for weight and balance purposes, vacated the seat during flight to occupy one of the empty seats at the back of the aircraft."
On Mar 23rd 2022 Germany's BFU reported they assist the investigation led by the SACAA, the propeller had been designed in Germany.
On Feb 6th 2023 the SACAA released their final report concluding the probable causes of the accident were:
A bird strike on the propeller blade caused the overload fracture and separation failure of the blade.
Contributory Factor
- Inadequate control of wildlife at the airfield.
- Inadequate number of trained personnel to monitor and deter possible wildlife during aircraft operations.
The SACAA provided this abstract in the final report:
On Monday morning, 3 January 2022, a Jetstream 41 aircraft with registration ZS-NRJ was on a scheduled commercial flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport (FAOR) in Gauteng province, to Venetia Mine Airfield (FAVM) in Limpopo province. On-board the aircraft were three crew members (two pilots and one cabin crew) and four passengers. A flight plan was filed for this flight and the flight was conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR) by day and under the provisions of Part 121 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011 as amended.
A safety briefing was conducted by the cabin crew member before departure.
After take-off, the aircraft climbed to flight level 210 (FL210). Approximately 15 nautical miles (nm) from FAVM and during descent, the first officer (FO) made a radio call to the FAVM attendant on the very high frequency (VHF) 124.80-Megahertz (MHz) to communicate that they will be landing shortly. Thereafter, the airfield attendant performed a runway inspection and, after completion, informed the crew that the runway was clear. The aerodrome attendant saw the aircraft whilst on final approach and after it touched down on Runway 08. During the landing roll at a ground speed of approximately 43 knots (kt), a large bird (Kori Bustard) got airborne from the right-side of the runway with overgrown grass and flew towards the aircraft. Soon after, one of the right-side engine propeller blades hit the bird.
The aircraft was substantially damaged, however, the occupants on-board the aircraft were unharmed.
The aircraft damage:
