- Date
- December 3, 1993, 17:17 local (23:17 UTC)
- Place
- West Chicago, IL
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N550RDCessna 550
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report September 26, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19931203046039A
- Case key
- 9437
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the collision with birds/geese shortly after takeoff. Reduced visibility in fog was a factor.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilots stated they were about 200 feet above the ground after takeoff when they heard a loud bang and the airplane yawed to left and right. Instruments indicated a loss of right engine power, and a substantial fuel leak on the left side. The flight crew declared an emergency and received radar vectors to midway airport, Chicago, Illinois, where they landed without further incident. The pilots reported they struck a flock of geese during initial climb. Weather conditions at departure were reported to be 200 foot overcast, 1/2 mile visibility in fog, temperature and dew point of 36 degrees fahrenheit.
Factual narrative
On December 3, 1993, at 1717 hours central standard time, a Cessna C550, N550RD, registered to Kansas Air Investments, Inc. and piloted by the company pilot, sustained substantial damage when it struck a flock of geese after takeoff from DuPage County Airport, West Chicago, Illinois. The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP, left seat) and the commercial certificated pilot (right seat) were the sole occupants, and reported no injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight, which operated on an IFR flight plan. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from West Chicago, Illinois at 1715 hours. The intended destination was Olathe, Kansas. The flight diverted to Midway Airport, in Chicago, Illinois.
The ATP reported the IFR departure was routine until the airplane climbed through about 200 feet above the ground. The pilots stated they heard a loud bang, and felt the airplane yaw left and right. They reported there were indications of a loss of power in the right engine. Restart attempts were unsuccessful, and the engine shut down procedure was performed. The ATP reported he then observed anomolous readings on the left hand engine instruments, and noticed the fuel quantity on the left side was rapidly decreasing. The flight crew declared an emergency and received radar vectors to Midway Airport. The right seat pilot stated: "The landing was successful and shutdown was immediate...the Captain and myself exited the aircraft, at which time it was apparent that we had struck a flock of geese."
Weather conditions at DuPage County Airport at the time of departure were reported to be 200 foot overcast, 1/2 mile visibility in fog, with temperature and dew point matching at 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N550RD
- Reported as
- Cessna 550
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 550-0422
- Airframe hours
- 4,200
- Engine
- P&W JT-15D-4, 2,500 lbs thrust, turbo fan
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Operator
- Kansas Air Inv., Inc
- Registered owner
- Kansas Air Investments, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Destination
- IXD · Olathe, KS
- Flight plan
- IFR
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 58
- Certificates
- Commercial, Airline transport, Flight instructor
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane, Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 33,000 total · 450 in this make and model · 32,000 as pilot in command · 180 in the last 90 days · 60 in the last 30 days · 5 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 0.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 200 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 36 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- DPA, 1 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.