VRHUK

On April 12, 1997, about 0900 Alaska daylight time, a Cathay Pacific Airways Boeing 747-400, VR-HUK, struck a large bird during the approach phase of flight into the Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as an instrument flight rules (IFR) international cargo flight under Title 14 CFR Part 129 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated as flight CX-084, sustained substantial damage. The captain and first officer, and two relief crew members, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Hong Kong International Airport, on a local date of April 12, 1997, at 1556. The stop in Anchorage was part of a continuing flight to Toronto, Canada.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported the airplane landed and taxied to a parking spot without the crew having any knowledge of a bird strike. A postflight inspection of the airplane revealed an impact with the leading edge of the left wing, about 2 feet outboard of the number 2 engine. The inspector reported the leading edge of the wing was dented and buckled, several rivets were broken, and the leading edge spar was damaged. A small portion of upper wing composite material was missing.

In the pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the operator, the crew indicated no bird impact was noticed during the landing approach. The landing lights were utilized during the approach. The airport's automatic terminal information service (ATIS) included a caution about birds in the vicinity of the airport.