N602SW

On August 21, 1997, about 1405 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 737-300, N602SW, operated by Southwest Airlines Inc. (SWA1907), as a Title 14 CFR Part 121, regular scheduled passenger flight, was struck by a bird near Tampa, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane received minor damage. The airline transport captain, and the airline transport first officer (FO) received minor injuries, 3 flight attendants, and 71 passengers were not injured. The flight had originated from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 1305.

While descending into Tampa at an altitude of 4,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the flight struck a "large bird." The FO's No. 1 window shattered both panes of the windshield, sending glass into the cockpit, and into the forward galley. The flight landed without further incident. The captain and FO were taken to the hospital to have glass removed. According to the pilot's statement they saw other birds before the bird strike, and they described the birds that they had seen with wing spans of "4 feet." At the time of the bird strike, windshield heat was available and "ON."