Bombardier DHC-8-401 accident near Medford, Oregon, January 9, 2003
On January 9, 2003 at about 2:15 am local time, a Bombardier DHC-8-401, registered N409QX, was substantially damaged in an accident near Medford, Oregon (Rogue Valley Int. airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 31 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The fracture and spalling of the inner-most pane of the aircraft's port side windshield while on a downwind for a night visual approach due to an imposed load beyond that required for windshield certification (multiple bird strikes). Factors include a dark night, and a flock of ducks (Lesser Scaups) flying in the location of the visual traffic pattern.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 9, 2003 · about 2:15 am local time
- Place
- Medford, Oregon · Rogue Valley Int. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 31 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bombardier DHC-8-401 · all DHC-8-401s on the register
- Registration
- N409QX · no longer on the register · serial 4051
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft, which was on a downwind for a night visual approach, impacted a flock of Lesser Scaups (diving ducks). The nose structure of the aircraft and the windshield directly in front of the captain received multiple bird strikes. Some of the birds penetrated the aircraft's skin, but there was no direct penetration of the windshield. Although the windshield was not penetrated, hundreds of small pieces of glass were ejected from the most inner of the windshield's three panes, and approximately 70 of these pieces imbedded themselves in the face, forehead, and scalp of the captain. The first officer ultimately completed a successful landing, while using backup flight instruments. The investigation determined that the windshield certification process defined in Part 25 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the Canadian Aviation Regulations does not take into account the effects of multiple bird strikes on the same windshield.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 18,662 hours in all; 4,922 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 14, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 9,241 hours in all; 1,288 in this make and model
- Last flight review: January 15, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,760 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, December 10, 2002; 168 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 64,500 lb
- Seats: 75
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PW 150-A (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SEA Seattle WA at 1:26 am
- Destination: MFR Medford OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 32, 8,798 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 2 | ||
| Passengers | 29 |
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.