# NTSB CEN09CA053: Cessna 172F, N5556R, Hutchinson, MN, November 5, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 5, 2008, 17:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Hutchinson, MN
- Coordinates: 44.859722, -94.382499 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8597&lon=-94.3825&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA053

## Probable cause

The bird that the airplane struck while on final approach.

## 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: [Cessna 172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072414), [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.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane he was flying impacted a bird during landing while on a local flight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane he was flying impacted a bird during landing while on a local flight. He said that he was at 50 feet above ground, 100 feet from the approach end of the runway, descending at 300 feet per minute, and was at 80 mph when the airplane’s right wing impacted the bird. The right wing lost lift. He stated that he applied full left rudder, full left aileron, and full engine power. He said that he landed with "moderate impact" on the main landing gear.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5556R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5556R), registered now, S/N 17253145, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253145
- Airframe hours: 2283.9
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walling Stephen L
- Registered owner: Walling Stephen L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 2008
- Departed: HCD, Hutchinson, MN
- Destination: HCD, Hutchinson, MN
- Airport: HCD, Hutchinson Municipal Airport, runway 15, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 289 total, 240 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.69 inHg
- Observed at: HCD

## 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 20081105851539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081105851539A), Nov 5, 2008: Cessna 172F, Hutchinson, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) Local flight performed one full stop landing, upon approach for second landing approximatley 50 to 100 feet from the end of the runway at an altitude of…

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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