N995SB

On August 18, 2000, about 1450 Alaska daylight time, a Beech C-99 airplane, N995SB, sustained substantial damage when a bird struck the nose of the airplane while in cruise flight, about 28 miles west of Deadhorse, Alaska. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Cape Smythe Air Service, Inc., Barrow, Alaska. The flight was being conducted under Title 14, CFR Part 135, as scheduled commuter Flight 181. There were no injuries to the two pilots or the three passengers aboard. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Deadhorse Airport, Deadhorse, about 1438, and was en route to Nuiqsut, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 21, the director of operations for the operator reported that about 25 minutes after departure, while in cruise, level flight, the captain saw a flock of four ducks pass from right to left in front of the airplane. He said that the captain tried to avoid the flock, but was unable to avoid a collision. The captain continued to his intended destination, which was the closest airport, and landed the airplane without difficulty.

A postlanding inspection of the airplane by the captain revealed substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage, forward bulkhead, and radome.