Embraer EMB 135KL accident near Traverse City, Michigan, May 28, 2014
On May 28, 2014 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 2001 Embraer EMB 135KL, registered N299SK, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Traverse City, Michigan (Cherry Capital airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). No one was hurt; 45 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight collision with a bird during the descent to land, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2014 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Traverse City, Michigan · Cherry Capital · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 45 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Embraer EMB 135KL NO SERIES, built 2001 · all EMB 135KLs on the register
- Registration
- N299SK · no longer on the register · serial 145532
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane struck a common loon during the descent to land, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that the airplane was about 10 miles from the airport and descending through about 3,500 to 3,000 feet mean sea level when the bird strike occurred.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Birdstrike during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,403 in this make and model
- Last flight review: February 25, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,991 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 18, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 31,099 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, May 19, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 46,517 lb
- Seats: 48
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Rolls Royce AE3003A1/3 (turbojet); 28,229 hours total
- Engine 2: Rolls Royce AE3003A1/3 (turbojet); 21,541 hours total
- Operator: Chautauqua Airlines INC
The flight
- Departed from: ORD Chicago IL at 6:12 pm
- Destination: TVC Traverse City MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 10, 6,901 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 24,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from TVC
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 42 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.