# NTSB CEN24LA267: Covington Edward L SHA-GLASAIR, N3EC, Saint James, MN, July 12, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 12, 2024, 05:30 local (10:30 UTC) - Place: Saint James, MN - Coordinates: 43.986354, -94.557974 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9864&lon=-94.5580&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 194696 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA267 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194696/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194696 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA267 ## Probable cause An in-flight bird strike which resulted in an engine compartment fire that ultimately destroyed the airplane. ## 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: [Covington Edward L SHA-GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05655PR), [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: [Covington Edward L SHA-GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=05655PR), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Landing: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Covington Edward L SHA-GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=05655PR), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was on approach to land when he saw birds in his peripheral vision and then heard and felt them impact his airplane. The pilot landed, taxied to the runup pad, and shut down the engine because he smelled something burning. After exiting the airplane, he saw smoke. The pilot used the on-board fire extinguisher in an attempt to extinguish the engine compartment fire but was unsuccessful, and the fire subsequently destroyed the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3EC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3EC), registered now, S/N 484R (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COVINGTON EDWARD L SHA-GLASAIR - Registry model: [Covington Edward L SHA-GLASAIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/covington-edward-l-sha-glasair) (registry code 05655PR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 484R - Year built: 1986 - Airframe hours: 2107 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Both - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 12, 2023 - Departed: KFRM, Farimont, MN - Destination: KJYG, St James, MN - Airport: JYG, St James Municipal, runway 15, 3,999 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 29, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 22,973 total, 665 in this make and model, 12,123 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KJYG - METAR: METAR KJYG 121135Z AUTO 16005KT 8SM CLR 18/18 A3006 ## 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 20240712011319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240712011319A), Jul 12, 2024: Covington Edward L SHA-GLASAIR, Saint James, MN, Destroyed. PIC stated on approach to land he saw a flock of birds in his peripheral vision and felt birds strike the aircraft. The PIC was able to land the aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194696. 7.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18090206&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA267%20-%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18090504&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA267%20-%20Photo%20Summary-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. --- 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.