# NTSB CEN20CA048: Vans RV 10, N519RV, Granbury, TX, December 30, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 30, 2019, 15:05 local (21:05 UTC) - Place: Granbury, TX - Coordinates: 32.365554, -97.644996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3656&lon=-97.6450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100744/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100744 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA048 ## Probable cause The airplane’s impact with a bird while on 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 operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Doerr Raymond R RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05621OU), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Doerr Raymond R RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05621OU), [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: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Doerr Raymond R RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=05621OU), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while in the traffic pattern and turning from base to final, a large bird impacted the leading edge of the right wing, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure and made the airplane difficult to control. The pilot was able to land safely on the intended runway. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while in the traffic pattern and turning from base to final, a large bird impacted the leading edge of the right wing, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure and made the airplane difficult to control. The pilot was able to land safely on the intended runway. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N519RV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N519RV), registered now, S/N 40250, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vans RV 10 (No Series) - Registry model: [Doerr Raymond R RV-10](https://openairdocs.org/model/doerr-raymond-r-rv-10) (registry code 05621OU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-D4A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-d4a5) (registry code 41798, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 40250 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 1236 - Engines: Lycoming IO540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, December 1, 2019 - Departed: 66TE, Granbury, TX - Destination: GRANBURY, TX - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Data recorder, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 21, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,647 total, 1,556 in this make and model, 1,604 as pilot in command, 4.5 in the last 90 days, 4.5 in the last 30 days, 0.6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KGDJ, 10 nm away ## 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 20191230020679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191230020679A), Dec 30, 2019: Doerr Raymond R RV-10, Granbury, TX, Substantial damage. On 31 dec 2019 at approximately 0930 local a vans RV-10 N519RV owned and being operated by [privacy data omitted] on a part 91 flight, was performing a low… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100744. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 784 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF 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.