Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On April 8, 2008, approximately 1205 mountain daylight time, a Bombardier, Inc. CL-600-2B16 business jet, N483BA, sustained substantial damage when it impacted birds during initial climb after takeoff from Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS), Colorado Springs, Colorado. The captain, first officer, cabin attendant, and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated by The Boeing Company Executive Flight Operations, Gary, Indiana, and registered to CEF 2002 Aircraft LLC, Danbury, Connecticut. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The captain and first officer reported the sky was clear and light winds were from the south. Prior to departure, the crew had not received any advisories regarding bird activity in the area. On takeoff, the crew was given a clearance to a 150-degree heading and a climb to 10,000 feet mean sea level (msl). The takeoff was normal and in accordance with company procedures. Approximately 2 minutes after takeoff and passing through 8,000 feet msl and 230 knots, the crew noticed "large white birds." Immediately thereafter, the airplane impacted the birds. "At first there was a loud bang, followed by a moderately loud wind noise." The crew realized at least one bird had penetrated into the cockpit; they declared an emergency and requested to return to COS. The captain performed a few control checks and verified they could maneuver the airplane. The captain slowed the airplane to 200 knots to reduce noise and wind in the flight deck. The control checks were good and they turned back to COS.

The crew then took a minute to assess the damage to the airplane. The left engine had high vibration (4.0 mils); however the engine instruments matched with the right engine and the throttles were not split. In addition, the N2 gauge REV (thrust reverser) light was very intermittent in amber. The captain elected to turn off the left thrust reverser for the remaining portion of the flight, and the crew elected not to shut down the left engine due to weight, high airport altitude and visibility considerations. On the downwind leg, the crew selected flaps 20 degrees and an airspeed of 170 knots on the speed bug. The crew noted no problems with aircraft control after the configuration changes. During the downwind to base turn, the crew then selected flaps 30 degrees, landing gear down, and airspeed 150 knots. After turning final for runway 17R, the crew selected flaps 45 degrees and airspeed 150 knots (Vref for the landing was 142 knots). The captain continued the landing from the left seat and the first officer provided visibility assistance due to bird matter on the windscreen. The airplane landed uneventfully and taxied to a COS fixed based operator. The crew decided no evacuation of the airplane was required.

On April