# NTSB DCA21LA120: Vans RV-7, N137RV, Boulder, CO, April 10, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 9, 2021, 20:58 local (Apr 10, 2021, 02:58 UTC) - Place: Boulder, CO · In flight - Coordinates: 39.9, -105.57194 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9000&lon=-105.5719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: 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: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 102920 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA21LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102920/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102920 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA21LA120 ## Probable cause a bird strike. ## 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: [Vans RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05627FU), [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. - [Enroute-descent: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Vans RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=05627FU), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the flight was one leg of a trip to the Sun 'n Fun aviation event in Florida, at which he would be working in the manufacturer’s company booth. The intended destination was Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC), Broomfield, Colorado. The flight to the eastern Rocky Mountain area was uneventful, and the airplane was in cruise at 13,500 feet for terrain clearance. Shortly after beginning the descent the pilot reported hearing and feeling a loud impact sound and rushing air, immediately followed by a violent and sudden ripping apart of the plexiglass canopy. The pilot reported his headset and glasses were blown off. The pilot reported he initially had difficulty controlling the airplane and reading the instruments, but regained control and successfully made an emergency landing at Boulder Airport (KBDU). Initial inspection of the damage to the canopy indicated a small half-round hole in the side of the canopy. Initially, it was suspected that the damage was possibly caused by a hard body object such as a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS/drone). However, further examination indicated the hole was consistent with the headset cable location as it was blown free, and no foreign material was found in the airplane. Although no foreign biological material was found, the location and altitude of the event was over remote mountainous terrain, indicating the collision was more likely a bird. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N137RV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N137RV), registered now, S/N 1, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-7 - Registry model: [Vans RV-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/vans-rv-7) (registry code 05627FU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6) (registry code 41576, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 2528 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Vans Aircraft Inc - Registered owner: Vans Aircraft Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 12, 2021 - Departed: KMAN, Nampa, ID - Destination: KBJC, Boulder, CO - Airport: BDU - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 19, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,650 total, 80 in this make and model, 1,650 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 27 °F - Observed at: KBJC, 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). - [Incident 20210409005879I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210409005879I), Apr 9, 2021: Vans Aircraft Inc RV-7, Boulder, CO, Minor damage. On a flight from kman to kbjc, under VMC, upon decent aircraft encountered a bird strike. Aircraft canopy received damage to 75% of the plastic. Pilot received… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 6, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102920. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12570910&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=SIGNED%20-%20COMPLETED%20-%20HUGHES%206120-1%20-%2020APR2021_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Map and photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12571366&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=map%20and%20photos-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.