# NTSB CEN09CA151: Schweizer G-164B, N3628T, Ferriday, LA, February 1, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 1, 2009, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Ferriday, LA - Coordinates: 31.60361, -91.67028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6036&lon=-91.6703&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 June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73317 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73317/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA151 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control following an impact with birds. ## 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 personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis While on short final, the bi-wing airplane impacted a flock of birds. Bird residue penetrated the windscreen and impacted the pilot in the face. Temporarily blinded, the pilot attempted a go-around maneuver, but the airplane impacted the runway, nosed over, and came to rest in an inverted position. The airplane's fuselage sustained structural damage during the accident. ## Factual narrative While on short final the bi-wing airplane impacted a flock of birds. Bird residue penetrated the windscreen and impacted the pilot in the face. Temporarily blinded, the pilot attempted a go-around maneuver, but the airplane impacted the runway, nosed over, and came to rest in an inverted position. The airplane's fuselage sustained structural damage during the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3628T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3628T), registered now, S/N 737B, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORP G-164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 737B - Airframe hours: 9102 - Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Dons Air Service Inc - Registered owner: Dons Air Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 29, 2008 - Departed: PVT, Ferriday, LA - Destination: PVT, Ferriday, LA - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip, runway 17, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 20, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 6,624 total, 635 in this make and model, 2,860 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg ## Other investigations on N3628T (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 FTW94LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA122), Apr 9, 1994: Schweizer G-164 (N3628T), Mount Bellvue, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS WERE THE SOFT RUNWAY AND GUSTY WINDS. 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.