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SUNNY Temp: 73 °F Wind: N at 3 mph Wednesday, May 21, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 9, 2003 Horizon flight lands safely after collision with bird(s) A Horizon flight landed safely Wednesday night after a collision with a bird shattered its windshield and injured a pilot. The DeHaviland Dash 8, a 40-passenger plane with 29 passengers and three crew members aboard, was descending to land in Medford at the end of a flight from Seattle when it collided with at least one bird, said Medford airport director Bern Case. Bent metal around the shattered left pane of the cockpit’s windshield indicated multiple birds — possibly a migrating flock of geese — were struck by the plane, he said. The pilot, whose name wasn’t released, suffered numerous cuts and bruises. The other pilot aboard landed the plane and immediately shut it down at the end of the runway away from the terminal. Several passengers said the sudden halt and the arrival of firetrucks was the first they knew of the collision. Passenger Steve Wuitschick, of Spokane, heard a bang and saw a look of shock in the flight attendant’s eyes when the birds hit. He initially feared the plane’s door had opened, but the descent and landing continued smoothly. The airport’s fire department, Medford police and a Mercy Flights ambulance crew all responded, Case said. The injured pilot was transported to Providence Medford Medical Center to be examined, although he didn’t appear seriously injured, Case said. Passenger Doug Smith, of Ashland, didn’t know of the collision until after landing. He praised the crew for bringing the plane in and keeping passengers calm during a wait on the runway, while paramedics treated the injured pilot and ground crews tracked down a bus to bring passengers and luggage to the terminal. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the accident. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times