# NTSB DFW08MA076: Cessna 500, N113SH, Oklahoma City, OK, March 4, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report
- Date: March 4, 2008, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Oklahoma City, OK
- Coordinates: 35.472221, -97.667221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4722&lon=-97.6672&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 29, 2009
- Report: Board-adopted at Board Meeting
- Investigation class: Class 1
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Cessna Aircraft
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67607
- NTSB case page: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DFW08MA076.aspx
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67607/pdf
- Board report AAR0905 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR0905.pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=67607
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08MA076

## Probable cause

Airplane wing-structure damage sustained during impact with one or more large birds (American white pelicans), which resulted in a loss of control of 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 operation (probable cause)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause)
- [Selection/certification/testing: equip certification/testing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04012015): Organizational issues › Development · FAA/Regulator
- [Policy/procedure: adequacy of policy/proc](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021015): Organizational issues › Management · Airport
- [Documentation/record keeping](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04033000): Organizational issues › Support/oversight/monitoring · FAA/Regulator
- [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010000): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Related records

## Analysis

The Safety Board's full report is available at:

http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2009/AAR0905.pdf. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAR-09/05.

On March 4, 2008, about 1515 central standard time, a Cessna 500, N113SH, registered to Southwest Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic PC of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, entered a steep descent and crashed about 2 minutes after takeoff from Wiley Post Airport (PWA) in Oklahoma City. None of the entities associated with the flight claimed to be its operator. The pilot, the second pilot, and the three passengers were killed, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. The flight was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 with an instrument flight rules flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from the ramp of Interstate Helicopters (a 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand helicopter operator at PWA) and was en route to Mankato Regional Airport, Mankato, Minnesota, carrying company executives who worked for United Engines and United Holdings, LLC.

## Factual narrative

The Safety Board's full report is available at:

http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2009/AAR0905.pdf. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAR-09/05.

On March 4, 2008, about 1515 central standard time, a Cessna 500, N113SH, registered to Southwest Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic PC of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, entered a steep descent and crashed about 2 minutes after takeoff from Wiley Post Airport (PWA) in Oklahoma City. None of the entities associated with the flight claimed to be its operator. The pilot, the second pilot, and the three passengers were killed, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. The flight was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 with an instrument flight rules flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from the ramp of Interstate Helicopters (a 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand helicopter operator at PWA) and was en route to Mankato Regional Airport, Mankato, Minnesota, carrying company executives who worked for United Engines and United Holdings, LLC.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N113SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N113SH-2010-03-24), registration cancelled 2010-03-24, S/N 500-0285, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 500
- Registry model: [Cessna 500](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-500) (registry code 2076602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-jt15d-1-series) (registry code 52060, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 500-0285
- Airframe hours: 6487
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada JT-15D-1A 2200 lbs thrust turbo jet; Pratt & Whitney Canada JT-15D-1A 2200 hp turbo jet
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Interstate Helicopters Inc
- Registered owner: Southwest Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 29, 2008
- Departed: PWA, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Destination: MKT, MANKATO, MN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: fatal; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 21, 2007; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,100 total, 5,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: PWA, 4 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 20080304847819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080304847819A), Mar 4, 2008: Cessna 500CESSNA, Oklahoma City, OK, Destroyed, 5 fatal. (-23) At approximately 3,000 feet MSL, the aircraft passed through a flock of birds (later to be identified as American white pelicans) during its initial…

## Docket (42 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=67607. 40.0 MB in all.

- Wreckage Diagram (item 1, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40301695&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 1, Front View of Main Wreckage (item 2, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307639&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%201,%20Front%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 2, Right Front Quarter View (item 3, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%202,%20Right%20Front%20Quarter%20View-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 3, Right Side View (item 4, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%203,%20Right%20Side%20View-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 4, Right Rear Quarter View (item 5, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307642&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%204,%20Right%20Rear%20Quarter%20View-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 5, Rear View of Main Wreckage (item 6, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307643&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%205,%20Rear%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 6, Left Rear Quarter View (item 7, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307644&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%206,%20Left%20Rear%20Quarter%20View-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 7, Left View of Main Wreckage (item 8, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307645&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%207,%20Left%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 8, Left Front Quarter View (item 9, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307647&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%208,%20Left%20Front%20Quarter%20View-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 9, Bird Splatter Overall View (item 10, .PDF, 995 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%209,%20Bird%20Splatter%20Overall%20View-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 10, Bird Splatter Right Side of Vertical Stab (item 11, .PDF, 843 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307649&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%2010,%20Bird%20Splatter%20Right%20Side%20of%20Vertical%20Stab-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 11, Bird Splatter Top Right Side of Horizontal Stab (item 12, .PDF, 991 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307650&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%2011,%20Bird%20Splatter%20Top%20Right%20Side%20of%20Horizontal%20Stab-Master.PDF
- Digital Photo 12, In-flight View (item 13, .PDF, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307651&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%2012,%20In-flight%20View-Master.PDF
- Bird ID email (item 14, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bird%20ID%20email-Redacted.PDF
- Fueling Record (item 15, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307880&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fueling%20Record-Master.PDF
- Witness 4 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 16, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40298769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%204%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- Witness 4 - Appendix A (item 17, .PDF, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40298771&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%204%20-%20Appendix%20A-Redacted.PDF
- Witness 4 - Appendix B (item 18, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40303274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%204%20-%20Appendix%20B-Redacted.PDF
- Maintenance Records 11 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 19, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40300528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%2011%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- Maintenance Records 11 - Attachment 1 (item 20, .PDF, 852 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40300529&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%2011%20-%20Attachment%201-Redacted.PDF
- Maintenance Records 11 - Attachment 2 (item 21, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40300530&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%2011%20-%20Attachment%202-Redacted.PDF
- Maintenance Records 11 - Attachment 3 (item 22, .PDF, 438 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40300531&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%2011%20-%20Attachment%203-Redacted.PDF
- Maintenance Records 11 - Attachment 4 (item 23, .PDF, 364 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40300532&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%2011%20-%20Attachment%204-Redacted.PDF
- Maintenance Records 11 - Attachment 5 (item 24, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40300533&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%2011%20-%20Attachment%205-Master.PDF
- Powerplants 8 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 25, .PDF, 783 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40300837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Powerplants%208%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- Survival Factors Specialist's Factual Report (item 26, .PDF, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40301445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Survival%20Factors%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF
- Operations 2 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 27, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40301697&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operations%202%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- Operations 2 - Attachment 1 - Ops Interviews (item 28, .PDF, 245 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307778&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operations%202%20-%20Attachment%201%20-%20Ops%20Interviews-Redacted.PDF
- Aircraft Performance 13 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 29, .PDF, 633 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40301696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Performance%2013%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- ATC 3 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 30, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40301754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ATC%203%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- ATC 3 - OKC Aircraft Accident Package (item 31, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40301758&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ATC%203%20-%20OKC%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Package-Master.PDF
- ATC 3 - PWA Accident Package (item 32, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40301761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ATC%203%20-%20PWA%20Accident%20Package-Master.PDF
- Structures 7 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 33, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304846&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Structures%207%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- Cockpit Voice Recorder 12 - Summary Report of Group Chairman (item 34, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40306581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cockpit%20Voice%20Recorder%2012%20-%20Summary%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 35, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307634&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 36, .PDF, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307635&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF
- Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 08-040 (item 37, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2008-040-Master.PDF
- Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 08-038 (item 38, .PDF, 552 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40308101&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2008-038-Master.PDF
- Aircraft Performance 13 - Bird Strike Study (item 39, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40309291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Performance%2013%20-%20Bird%20Strike%20Study-Master.PDF
- Video/Image Study Report (item 40, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40311545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Video%2FImage%20Study%20Report-Master.PDF
- Toxicological Report (item 41, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF
- CD-ROM of Video clip of Security Camera (item 42, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316525&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CD-ROM%20of%20Video%20clip%20of%20Security%20Camera-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.

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