Narrative:
A SA Airlink Jetstream 41 aircraft departed Johannesburg International Airport on a commercial flight to Venetia Mine Airport.
After takeoff the aircraft climbed to the cruising altitude flight level 210 (FL210) in accordance with the flight plan. During the descent to Venetia Mine, the first officer made a radio call to the aerodrome inspector on the VHF radio to inform him that they would be landing shortly. Thereafter, the aerodrome inspector went to perform a runway inspection. Once complete, the aerodrome inspector informed the flight that he had completed the runway inspection and that it was clear of foreign object debris and no wildlife was spotted close to the runway.
The crew stated that touchdown was normal on runway 08, however, during the landing roll at a ground speed of approximately 104 knots, with the propellers in the reverse thrust configuration (course pitch), a large bird (Kori Bustard) got airborne from the grass area next to the runway on the right side. The bird impacted the no.2 (right-side) propeller and one of the blades was severed. Some fragments from the blade penetrated the fuselage (third row of seats).
According to the crew, the bird strike caused the aircraft to shake and the number 2 engine to show an over temperature indication. The Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) indication was over 750°C. The crew followed the engine shut down procedure while bringing the aircraft to a stop on the runway. After the aircraft had stopped, the captain, through the intercom, spoke with the passengers to check if they were harmed. The cabin crew member reported that nobody was injured after checking with the passengers.
The crew then taxied the aircraft to the apron with only the left engine in operation. Once the engine was shut down, the passengers disembarked the aircraft. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Probable Cause
A bird strike on the propeller blade caused the overload fracture and separation failure of the blade.
Contributory Factors:
1. Inadequate control of wildlife at the airfield.
2. Inadequate number of trained personnel to monitor and deter possible wildlife during aircraft operations.
Prop/turbine blade separation
Forced landing on runway
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Monday 3 January 2022 |
| Time: | 08:10 |
| Type: |  British Aerospace 4121 Jetstream 41 |
| Operator: | SA Airlink |
| Registration: | ZS-NRJ |
| MSN: | 41062 |
| First flight: | 1995-05-19 (26 years 8 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 35782 |
| Engines: | 2 Garrett TPE331-14GR-805H |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Location: | near Venetia Mine Airport ( South Africa)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB/FAOR), South Africa |
| Venetia Mine Airport (FAVM), South Africa |
A SA Airlink Jetstream 41 aircraft departed Johannesburg International Airport on a commercial flight to Venetia Mine Airport.
After takeoff the aircraft climbed to the cruising altitude flight level 210 (FL210) in accordance with the flight plan. During the descent to Venetia Mine, the first officer made a radio call to the aerodrome inspector on the VHF radio to inform him that they would be landing shortly. Thereafter, the aerodrome inspector went to perform a runway inspection. Once complete, the aerodrome inspector informed the flight that he had completed the runway inspection and that it was clear of foreign object debris and no wildlife was spotted close to the runway.
The crew stated that touchdown was normal on runway 08, however, during the landing roll at a ground speed of approximately 104 knots, with the propellers in the reverse thrust configuration (course pitch), a large bird (Kori Bustard) got airborne from the grass area next to the runway on the right side. The bird impacted the no.2 (right-side) propeller and one of the blades was severed. Some fragments from the blade penetrated the fuselage (third row of seats).
According to the crew, the bird strike caused the aircraft to shake and the number 2 engine to show an over temperature indication. The Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) indication was over 750°C. The crew followed the engine shut down procedure while bringing the aircraft to a stop on the runway. After the aircraft had stopped, the captain, through the intercom, spoke with the passengers to check if they were harmed. The cabin crew member reported that nobody was injured after checking with the passengers.
The crew then taxied the aircraft to the apron with only the left engine in operation. Once the engine was shut down, the passengers disembarked the aircraft. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Probable Cause:
Probable Cause
A bird strike on the propeller blade caused the overload fracture and separation failure of the blade.
Contributory Factors:
1. Inadequate control of wildlife at the airfield.
2. Inadequate number of trained personnel to monitor and deter possible wildlife during aircraft operations.
Accident investigation:
|
Classification:
Bird strike Prop/turbine blade separation
Forced landing on runway
Sources:
» AirlinkFollow-up / safety actions
CAA S.A. issued 2 Safety Recommendations
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Photos
Video, social media
Remind me never to sit by a prop again! Thankfully no one hurt on this J41. #j41 #birdstrike #fanhitstheshit #birdmighthavebeeninjured It sure as hell would have woken you up if you were napping onboard. pic.twitter.com/jvUTYkKces
— Pontius Pilate (@pontius_is_goat) January 4, 2022
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo International Airport to Venetia Mine Airport as the crow flies is 424 km (265 miles).
Accident location: Exact; as reported in the official accident report.
Distance from Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo International Airport to Venetia Mine Airport as the crow flies is 424 km (265 miles).
Accident location: Exact; as reported in the official accident report.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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