# NTSB CEN23LA387: Beech 200, N313CT, Henderson, KY, August 30, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 30, 2023, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Henderson, KY
- Coordinates: 37.807778, -87.677778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8078&lon=-87.6778&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA387
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192967/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192967
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA387

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird shortly after takeoff.

## 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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=1152920), [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 · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=1152920), [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.

- [Takeoff: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=1152920), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, he encountered a flock of geese. One of the geese struck the right wing tip, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot declared an emergency with approach control and landed the airplane without further incident. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N313CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N313CT), registered now, S/N BB-461, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 200
- Registry model: [Beech 200](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-200) (registry code 1152920) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6a-series) (registry code 61508, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BB-461
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 7647
- Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-41 850 horsepower turbo prop; Pratt and Whitney PT6A-41 850 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: BEL-Air. LLC
- Registered owner: Almar Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 2023
- Departed: EHR, Henderson, KY
- Destination: EVV, Evansville, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: EHR, Henderson City, runway 09, 5,504 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 27, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 27,500 total, 2,020 in this make and model, 24,750 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KEHR
- METAR: KEHR 301256Z AUTO 04008KT 10SM CLR 21/18 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP139 T02060178

## 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 20230830015499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230830015499A), Aug 30, 2023: Beech 200, Henderson, KY, Substantial damage. On August 30, 2023, a flight was conducted under 14 CFR § 91. The pilot in command (PIC) stated had received a weather briefing and filed a IFR flight plan.…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192967. 5.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16500583&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N313CT_Bird%20Strike-NTSB_6120_1--9-7-2023_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16500972&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo%20array-Rel.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.

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