# NTSB ANC10CA031: Piper PA-31-350, N77HV, Eek, AK, May 8, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2010, 19:15 local (May 8, 2010, 03:15 UTC) - Place: Eek, AK - Coordinates: 60.216945, -162.016662 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2169&lon=-162.0167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 75845 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75845/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75845 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA031 ## Probable cause An in-flight collisions with two Cackling Geese (Branta Hutchinsii). ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Windows-windshield system: flight compartment windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Piper PA-31-350, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md?model=7103110), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md) - [Wing structure: flight surfaces (wing)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035750): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Piper PA-31-350, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035750/cases.md?model=7103110), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035750/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-350, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7103110), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-350, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7103110), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport pilot was on a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, positioning flight. The pilot said that he was in cruise flight when the airplane struck two geese. One goose penetrated the right-side windscreen and came to rest at the rear of the passenger cabin; the second goose impacted the leading edge of the right wing. The pilot said that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The windscreen and right wing were structurally damaged by impact with the birds. The birds were identified as Cackling Geese (Branta Hutchinsii). ## Factual narrative The airline transport pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, positioning flight. The pilot said he was in cruise flight when the airplane struck two geese. He said one goose penetrated the right side windscreen, and came to rest at the rear of the passenger cabin, and the second goose impacted the leading edge of the right wing. The pilot said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. He said the windscreen and right wing were structurally damaged by impact with the birds. The birds were identified as Cackling Geese (Branta Hutchinsii). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77HV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77HV-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 318152193, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (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: 318152193 - Airframe hours: 3431 - Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING TIO-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Grant Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Grant Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, November 2, 2009 - Departed: EEK, Eek, AK - Destination: BET, Bethel, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 9, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 4,022 total, 1,650 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 71 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg ## 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 20100507033639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100507033639A), May 7, 2010: Piper PA-31-350, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft was in cruise flight, enroute from emmonak to Bethel when it was struck by two birds. One strike damaged the right wing leading edge causing wing… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75845. 637 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 637 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.