# NTSB ANC96LA076: Beech 99C, N216CS, Barrow, AK, May 21, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 1996, 13:55 local (21:55 UTC) - Place: Barrow, AK - Coordinates: 71.280487, -156.779022 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=71.2805&lon=-156.7790&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2844 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2844/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA076 ## Probable cause an in-flight collision with a bird. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - object - bird(s) (cause) - window,flight compartment window/windshield - foreign object damage ## Analysis The scheduled commuter flight was approximately 800 feet msl and 15 miles from its destination when a small duck struck the copilot's windshield. The duck penetrated the windshield and glanced off the copilot's face. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 1996, about 1355 Alaska daylight time, a Beech BE-99C airplane, N216CS, operated by Cape Smythe Air Service in visual meteorological conditions as scheduled commuter Flight 140 from Point Lay, Alaska, to Barrow, Alaska, sustained substantial damage when it collided in-flight with a duck. The airline transport certificated captain was not injured; the commercial certificated first officer received minor injuries. There were no passengers aboard the airplane. The Director of Operations for the company and the FAA inspector assigned to the company as the Principal Operations Inspector, reported the bird strike occurred about 15 miles south of Barrow on the 210 degree radial of the Barrow VORTAC. The flight was reported to be about 800 feet msl when a duck collided with the right side first officer's windshield. The duck penetrated the windshield, struck the first officer across the left facial cheek,and continued to the rear of the airplane. The first officer was treated for facial abrasions and released. The duck's remains have been tentatively identified by a State of Alaska Fish and Wildlife employee as a "Squaw Duck". The duck's estimated preimpact weight was approximately 1.5 pounds. The Operator indicated that the flight crew said that the duplex, electrically heated windshield was not being heated at the time of impact. The Operator also said the windshield had no known cracks or maintenance deficiencies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N216CS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N216CS), registered now, S/N U-216, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 99C - Registry model: [Beech C-99](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-99) (registry code 1154006) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4-216 - Airframe hours: 12599 - Engines: P&W PT6A-36 715 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Cape Smythe Air Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 12, 1996, 9 hours before - Departed: PIZ, PT. LAY, AK - Destination: BRW - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,376 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,945 as pilot in command, 275 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 32 °F ## 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 19960521031429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960521031429A), May 21, 1996: Beech C99, Barrow, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a duck cruising 800 AGL broke right side winshield and hit first officer. Treated for facial abrasions. ## Other investigations on N216CS (2) 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 CEN17LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA123), Jan 24, 2017: Beech C 99 (N216CS), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions on a contaminated runway, which resulted in a runway excursion. - [NTSB ANC92LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA123), Aug 9, 1992: Beech C99 (N216CS), Nuiqsut, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNDRAFT. 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.