A321
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Environment - Non Weather Related
Captain was visually flying the EWR Runway 04R approach with the autopilot disengaged. Sky was clear and the winds were 320/15 kts. The flight was stable and on speed at Vpp (final approach speed) 145 kts. At approximately 800-900 feet AGL; the Captain's airspeed suddenly decreased to 80 kts and fluctuated up to 100 kts. Knowing this must be instrumentation failure; I maintained pitch and power and flying duties till I confirmed that the FO instruments were giving correct information. He replied of an airspeed of approximately 150 kts and everything else look good. With this information; I transferred control of the aircraft to the FO who continued the approach uneventfully to landing. Once at the gate; it was confirmed that we had a bird strike directly on the Captain's pitot tube.
A321 Captain reported a bird strike occurred on the Captain's side pitot tube; causing erratic airspeed fluctuations.