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Cruise · September 3rd, 2007, 10:43

I had a very similar experience climbing out of IAD a couple years ago. It was already dark and we were almost 5,000 ft and 200kts. The landing lights were still on....next thing....something huge coming our way. BANG! It scared the crap out of us.....it was a very large bird. Probably a Gull or something similar. Well, this bird exploded all over my windscreen....nothing but blood and feathers all over the place. Wow, with the force of the impact, I'm glad it didn't come through....could've gotten real ugly (for me....it was already ugly for the bird

). It actually did crack the outer layer of glass (found that out after it got cleaned up). Anyhow, I couldn't see anything, good thing I was PNF at the time. Then DING, the flight attendant called us and was asking what the noise was....because it got the attention of everyone on the flight, including her. It was winter at the time and when we got back on the ground this mess was frozen on the plane. Quite the experience.....I've hit other birds before, but never like this one.

Sorry, no pics....it was dark and I didn't have my camera anyhow.

September 3rd, 2007, 10:43	#3
Cruise Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: 22" PNS.... I can't keep track anymore! Posts: 2,462	Re: Bird Strike I had a very similar experience climbing out of IAD a couple years ago. It was already dark and we were almost 5,000 ft and 200kts. The landing lights were still on....next thing....something huge coming our way. BANG! It scared the crap out of us.....it was a very large bird. Probably a Gull or something similar. Well, this bird exploded all over my windscreen....nothing but blood and feathers all over the place. Wow, with the force of the impact, I'm glad it didn't come through....could've gotten real ugly (for me....it was already ugly for the bird ). It actually did crack the outer layer of glass (found that out after it got cleaned up). Anyhow, I couldn't see anything, good thing I was PNF at the time. Then DING, the flight attendant called us and was asking what the noise was....because it got the attention of everyone on the flight, including her. It was winter at the time and when we got back on the ground this mess was frozen on the plane. Quite the experience.....I've hit other birds before, but never like this one. Sorry, no pics....it was dark and I didn't have my camera anyhow. Last edited by Cruise; September 3rd, 2007 at 10:55. Reason: Seggy dogging no pics!