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Cape Air flight from VI to USVI encounters bird strike; 2 injured

The windshield of Cape Air flight KAP8861 was shattered after it struck a bird during the afternoon of Sunday, June 4, 2023. Photo: VIC
The incident did not affect airport operations, and the Cyril E. King Airport remained open. Photo: VIPA
The incident did not affect airport operations, and the Cyril E. King Airport remained open. Photo: VIPA
Virgin Islands Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe said that at approximately 2:53 pm, Cape Air flight KAP8861 experienced a bird strike north of Water Island just before landing. Photo: Team of Reporters
Virgin Islands Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe said that at approximately 2:53 pm, Cape Air flight KAP8861 experienced a bird strike north of Water Island just before landing. Photo: Team of Reporters
2 of the 6 people on board the Cape Air flight were reportedly injured. Photo: Team of Reporters
2 of the 6 people on board the Cape Air flight were reportedly injured. Photo: Team of Reporters
The injured passengers of the aircraft were transported to the Schneider Regional Medical Center. Photo: Team of Reporters
The injured passengers of the aircraft were transported to the Schneider Regional Medical Center. Photo: Team of Reporters
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST Thomas, USVI- A Cape Air Flight that was heading to the US Virgin Islands (USVI) from the [British] Virgin Islands on Sunday afternoon, June 4, 2023, encountered an inflight emergency that required assistance upon landing at Cyril E. King Airport on St Thomas, USVI.

According to a statement from the [US] Virgin Islands Port Authority, the flight encountered a bird strike.

2 of the 6 people on board were reportedly injured.

[US] Virgin Islands Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe said that at approximately 2:53 pm, Cape Air flight KAP8861 experienced a bird strike north of Water Island just before landing.

It said the aircraft landed at CEKA at 2:56 PM without incident and taxied to the terminal gate under its own power.

[US]VIPA’s Airport Operations and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighter personnel assisted all five passengers and the pilot on board. VI Fire and Emergency Services also responded to the incident.

2 injured

The passengers of the aircraft were transported to the Schneider Regional Medical Center.

“While two of the passengers were injured, thankfully, there were no fatalities,” the statement disclosed.

[US]VIPA said it has remained in contact with Cape Air officials and federal aviation agencies regarding this matter.

The incident did not affect airport operations, and the Cyril E. King Airport remained open.

17 Responses to “Cape Air flight from VI to USVI encounters bird strike; 2 injured”

  • The watchdog (05/06/2023, 07:33) Like (2) Dislike (34) Reply
    Oh gosh I better off taking the new American Eagle
    • Unbelievable (05/06/2023, 11:58) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
      so do you think that American Eagle or any other plane is flawless? people's lives were involved and hear at you. Today for Cape and tomorrow for someone else and a different scenario. You people are just wicked
  • iron bird (05/06/2023, 07:38) Like (21) Dislike (11) Reply
    The birds had the right of way
    • crazy people (05/06/2023, 11:54) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      An incident of this magnitude and this is your comment? You people are heartless. Your song would have been different if you or someone in your family was on that flight.
  • Arrion (05/06/2023, 07:55) Like (40) Dislike (1) Reply
    This was a very serious and scary incident. I don't remember ever hearing about this coming from the BVI to STT. So glad they landed safely with only injuries and no deaths.
    • @arrion (05/06/2023, 11:49) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      nope you will never hear this reported from them. The birds is no one's fault but anything that will bring a negative light on the recent glorious moment will not be part of their airtime.

      I personally fly Cape all the time and sorry to hear that this happened. It could have ended worse and sorry for those who got injured, and wish them a speedy recovery. This would probably now lead to Cape Air replacing with tempered glass or some sort of shatter proof windshields now. It usually take something to happen to open the door for improvement
  • WOW (05/06/2023, 08:22) Like (9) Dislike (30) Reply
    They need stronger windshield from now on. I don't even think BVI and USVI have big birds, so if a small bird can do such damage something is wrong with the manufacturer of that aircraft.
    • B (05/06/2023, 10:11) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Don't they have pelicans those are classified as big birds.
    • @wow (05/06/2023, 21:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      What kind of silly comment is this.. the speed of the aircraft and the bird clash is what does the damage and honestly I am glad it was the windshield and not that the bird flew into the engine.. which would’ve probably led them to crash land which is far worst!!!
  • Listen (05/06/2023, 08:49) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    A bird strike can happen at anytime anywhere in the sky on any plane. Sometimes the birds get sucked into the plane engine while the plane is in the air. Can’t blame the birds they are in their natural element. Whales and sharks have strike boats on the ocean as well.
  • WAS WONDERING (05/06/2023, 09:01) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    If it was a flock of Canadian geese that ran into the plane window. Canadian geese is large powerful birds than can take down a human. They have a sharp hook behind their feet that can do a lot of damage. I would not be surprise if we have Canadian geese in the VI.
  • A first for the VI (05/06/2023, 09:40) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bird strike happens all the time, but this is the first time in the VI. Glad the plane landed safely. Bird strikes have caused planes to crash. My mom is petrified of flying, when she have to fly she take a pill to keep her nerves calm and she start praying when she step on the plane. Flying don’t bother me. I would prefer to fly any day over sitting in a car for hours driving.
  • Citizen (05/06/2023, 10:30) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Give thanks. God was in the midst.
  • OMG! (05/06/2023, 14:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope that bird has insurance! If not, that's going to be a heavy bill for the company :(
  • tt (05/06/2023, 16:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This thing happen all the time thank be to God it happens when landing and not in middle air
  • c (05/06/2023, 20:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They had problem in St Croix a few years ago due to a dump off the end of a runway attracting birds. They were trying different methods to keep them at bay.


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