DCA13CA066

Factual narrative

On December 5, 2012, at approximately 1800 eastern standard time, a Bombardier CRJ200 operated by Air Wisconsin as USAirways Express flight 3852, experienced a bird strike while descending through 7,000 feet on approach to the New York LaGuardia Airport, New York. The bird strike occured about 30 miles southwest of the airport, at an airspeed of 200 knots. The crew continued the approach and made a normal landing. Weather at the time of the event was night visual conditions. There were no injuries to the 3 crewmembers or 50 passengers.Structural damage was found on skin panels, bulkheads, stringers, frames, nose landing gear support structure, ADG enclosure, leading edges, and piccolo ducts. The forward pressure bulkhead was dented, deformed, and punctured in several areas, affecting the structural strength of the bulkhead and require major repair or replacement, thereby qualifying as substantial damage. The species of bird was identified as Snow Goose by the Smithsonian Institution bird hazard laboratory. On December 5, 2012, at approximately 1800 eastern standard time, a Bombardier CRJ200 operated by Air Wisconsin as USAirways Express flight 3852, experienced a bird strike while descending through 7,000 feet on approach to the New York LaGuardia Airport, New York. The bird strike occured about 30 miles southwest of the airport, at an airspeed of 200 knots. The crew continued the approach and made a normal landing. Weather at the time of the event was night visual conditions. There were no injuries to the 3 crewmembers or 50 passengers. Structural damage was found on skin panels, bulkheads, stringers, frames, nose landing gear support structure, ADG enclosure, leading edges, and piccolo ducts. The forward pressure bulkhead was dented, deformed, and punctured in several areas, affecting the structural strength of the bulkhead and require major repair or replacement, thereby qualifying as substantial damage. The species of bird was identified as Snow Goose by the Smithsonian Institution bird hazard laboratory. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Effect on equipment - C