Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown
Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Weather; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
On the descent into ORF we were in smooth VMC conditions. We were cleared direct to CALEY for the ILS 5. I was in the process of beginning to slow the aircraft when we noticed traffic in front of us over CALEY as we observed and discussed this traffic ATC came over the radio and advised us of it. At that time we encountered SEVERE turbulence with roll rates in excess of 35 degrees and airspeed changes in excess of 30 knots the aircraft for a short time was uncontrollable. During this encounter while trying to regain control of the aircraft we had a bird strike to complicate matters. I immediately executed a climb and advised the First Officer to let ATC know we were climbing and asked for heading. We climbed to 4;000 feet on a heading and once clear of the worst of the turbulence (Below 3;000 feet) began to assess the situation. Another regional jet was also in the area and was behind us on the approach at a lower altitude. We waited to see the outcome of his approach. He advised the worst was between 3;000 and 1;600 with moderate below 1;000 feet. I elected to attempt a 2nd approach with the intention of diverting if it was unsuccessful. On the second approach the turbulence was only moderate with nowhere near what we encountered the first time. We continued the approach and landing uneventfully and the aircraft logbook was noted to the bird strike as well as encounter with severe turbulence. No passengers or crew sustained injury during this encounter.
CRJ900 Captain experiences severe turbulence during approach to ORF at 3000 feet; followed quickly by a bird strike. The Captain allows another RJ to go ahead then attempts a second approach which is successful.