# NTSB ANC98LA104: Cessna 207, N2162C, Bethel, AK, June 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 1998, 17:30 local (Jun 18, 1998, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK - Coordinates: 60.809616, -161.84909 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8096&lon=-161.8491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43072 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43072/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA104 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a large bird. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - object - bird(s) (cause) ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot entered a left downwind for landing on runway 18, when he noticed a brown object pass in front of the windshield, from left to right, striking the right wing. The pilot said he was able to continue the approach and make a normal landing. Company maintenance personnel reported substantial damage to the right wing's leading edge and rib assemblies, and noted the presence of what appeared to be goose feathers, imbedded in the damaged portion of the wing. In the pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, he reported that the right wing leading edge skin was crushed back to the forward portion of the spar. The entire leading edge was replaced between the tip cap, and outboard of the attach point of the wing strut. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 1998, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N2162C, sustained substantial damage as a result of a bird strike during approach to the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane is registered to and operated by Kusko Aviation, Inc., Bethel, Alaska. The certificated commercial pilot, and the three passengers aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Quinhagak Airport, Quinhagak, Alaska, about 1655. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, on July 20, 1998, the pilot stated that while on a left downwind for landing on runway 18, he noticed a brown object pass in front of the windshield, from left to right, striking the right wing. The pilot said he was able to continue the approach, and made a normal landing. Company maintenance personnel performed a postflight inspection and reported substantial damage to the right wing's leading edge and rib assemblies. They noted what appeared to be goose feathers imbedded in the damaged portion of the wing. In the pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, and dated August 7, 1998, he reported that right wing leading edge skin was crushed back to the forward portion of the spar. The entire leading edge was replaced between the tip cap, and outboard of the attach point of the wing strut. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2162C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2162C-2019-10-05), registration cancelled 2019-10-05, S/N 20700575, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 207 - Registry model: [Cessna 207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207a) (registry code 2073605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520-F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-f) (registry code 17237, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20700575 - Airframe hours: 7750 - Engines: Continental IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Kusko Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 5, 1998, 66 hours before - Departed: AQH, QUINHAGAK, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: BET, Bethel, runway 18, 6,398 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °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 19980617024509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980617024509A), Jun 17, 1998: Cessna 207, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. On downwind struck a large bird. Landed safely but substantial wing damage.(.4)the certificated commercial pilot entered a left downwind for landing on runway… ## Other investigations on N2162C (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 ANC12CA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA067), Jul 6, 2012: Cessna 207A (N2162C), Kotlik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain during cruise flight at low altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water. A contributing factor was the pilot’s… 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.