# NTSB ANC96LA144: Cessna 207, N7396U, Kotzebue, AK, September 3, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 1996, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Kotzebue, AK - Coordinates: 67.239799, -161.189666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2398&lon=-161.1897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2896 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2896/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA144 ## Probable cause an in-flight encouter with bird(s)/geese, which resulted in a bird strike. ## 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) - wing - foreign object damage ## Analysis The pilot was flying the airplane at 2,500 feet above sea level. He had seen flocks of geese flying in the area 2 to 3 days earlier; however, he had not seen any that day. While in cruise flight, he heard a thud, and noted that a goose feather came out of the fresh air vent. The pilot then looked out of his windshield and saw damage to the wing of the airplane, where impact with a bird (goose) had occurred. He landed without further incident. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 1996, at 0830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N7396U, registered to and operated by Cape Smythe Air Service, Inc., of Barrow, Alaska, experienced a bird strike during cruise flight. The positioning flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Point Hope, Alaska, and the destination was Kotzebue, Alaska. A company flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing outboard of the wing strut attach points. The bird strike occurred during straight and level cruise flight at approximately 2,500 feet above mean sea level. The pilot heard a thud, and then a goose feather came out of the fresh air vent. He stated that he had seen flocks of geese flying in the area the previous 2 to 3 days. He did not see any that day. According to the initial interview, right after the bird strike occurred, the pilot stated it happened on September 3, 1996 at 0830 adt. When he submitted the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the date and time of the occurrence was different. The September 3, 1996, 0830 adt time is correct. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7396U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7396U), registered now, S/N 20700438, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 207 - Registry model: [Cessna 207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207a) (registry code 2073604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20700438 - Engines: Continental IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cape Smythe Air Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PHO, POINT HOPE, AK - Destination: OTZ, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,600 total, 350 in this make and model, 2,180 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19960903029769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960903029769A), Sep 3, 1996: Cessna 207A, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a goose in cruise. Left wing damaged. ## Other investigations on N7396U (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 ANC85LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA039), Jan 11, 1985: Cessna C-207 (N7396U), Nome, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC80DA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DA041), Apr 23, 1980: Cessna 207A (N7396U), Stebbins, AK, substantial damage 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.