# NTSB ANC24LA066: Curtiss Wright C-46R, N7848B, Kenai, AK, July 11, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 11, 2024, 09:46 local (17:46 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK · Kenai airport
- Coordinates: 60.573333, -151.24483
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5733&lon=-151.2448&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194707
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194707/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194707
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA066

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with birds during takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright C-46R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2622710), [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.

- [Takeoff: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright C-46R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2622710), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during takeoff, as the airplane passed through 150 ft above ground level (agl) several birds impacted the leading edge of the left wing. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure. The pilot continued the takeoff and entered a left hand traffic pattern and eventually landed back at the airport. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7848B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7848B), registered now, S/N 273, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CURTISS WRIGHT C-46R
- Registry model: [Curtiss Wright C-46R](https://openairdocs.org/model/curtiss-wright-c-46r) (registry code 2622710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (registry code 52026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 273
- Year built: 1942
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R2800-CA18 2250 horsepower reciprocating; Pratt & Whiteny R2800-CA18 2250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 125
- Operator: Everts Air Fuel Inc
- Registered owner: Everts Air Fuel Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: PABG, Beluga, AK
- Airport: ENA, Kenai Muni, runway 20R, 7,855 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; last flight review April 2, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 30,000 total, 12,000 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 330 in the last 90 days, 121 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 29, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,047 total, 803 in this make and model, 987 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 108 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 11.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: PAEN

## Other investigations on N7848B (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 ANC85LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA057), Mar 14, 1985: Curtiss C-46R (N7848B), Nulato, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194707. 1.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17473379&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20REPORT-copy_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17473190&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA066%20No%20photographs-Rel.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.

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