# NTSB ANC02LA117: Piper PA-32R, N40449, Manley Hot Spgs, AK, September 4, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 4, 2002, 14:13 local (22:13 UTC) - Place: Manley Hot Spgs, AK - Coordinates: 58.299236, -134.42041 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.2992&lon=-134.4204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-FAI FSDO 01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55671 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC02LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55671/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA117 ## Probable cause A bird strike during takeoff, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - bird(s) (cause) ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot was departing a remote airport on an air taxi flight. The pilot reported a flock of geese flew into the path of the airplane. The leading edge of the right wing was struck by one of the birds. The operator replaced a 23-inch-wide section of the right wing leading edge skin, a leading edge rib, and a section of wing top skin. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 2002, about 1413 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-32R airplane, N40449, sustained substantial damage when the right wing was struck by a bird during takeoff from Manley Hot Springs, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated as Flight 2218, by Tanana Air Service, Fairbanks, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 5, the director of operations for the operator reported that as the airplane was taking off, a flock of geese flew into the path of the airplane. The leading edge of the right wing was struck by one of the birds. The operator replaced a 23-inch-wide section of the right wing leading edge skin, a leading edge rib, and a section of the wing top skin. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40449](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40449), registered now, S/N 32R-7780519 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32R - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7780519 - Airframe hours: 7097 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540K1A5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Bidzy Ta Hot Aana Corp., doing business as Tanana Air Service - Registered owner: Harold Esmailka - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 27, 2002, 20 hours before - Departed: PAML, MANLEY HOT SPGS, AK - Destination: PAFA, FAIRBANKS, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: PAML, Manley Hot Springs, runway 20, 2,875 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 26, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 2,600 total, 2,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: PAML ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020904024119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020904024119A), Sep 4, 2002: Piper PA32R300, Manley Hs, AK, No damage. Y-23) [privacy data omitted] during takeoff from Manley hot Springs, the aircraft flew into a flock of geese striking one goose with the right outboard wing… ## Other investigations on N40449 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC19TA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19TA014), Feb 13, 2019: Piper PA32R (N40449), Anchorage, AK, no damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to ensure that the passenger’s lap belt was appropriately fastened for the forecast turbulent conditions, and the passenger’s failure to tighten her lap belt appropriately, which… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.