# NTSB ERA09CA017: Cessna 182T, N771CP, Manchester, CT, October 7, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 7, 2008, 15:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Manchester, CT
- Coordinates: 41.789722, -72.539718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7897&lon=-72.5397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69288/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA017

## Probable cause

The in-flight collision with a bird.

## 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 · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072703), [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-climb to cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight departed Brainard-Hartford Airport and was approximately 5 miles to the northeast at 1,800 feet msl when a large bird was observed on a collision course. The pilot banked left to avoid the bird and continued the climb. As the bird went out of sight, a "loud thump" was heard, and the pilot reported the bird strike to ATC. After returning to the airport, the right wing was inspected and found to have substantial damage. Published airport remarks include the following: "Birds and deer on and in vicinity of the airport."

## Factual narrative

The flight departed Brainard-Hartford Airport and was approximately 5 miles to the northeast at 1,800 feet MSL when a large bird was observed on a collision course. The pilot banked left to avoid the bird and continued the climb. As the bird went out of sight, a "loud thump" was heard, and the pilot reported the bird strike to ATC. After returning to the airport, the right wing was inspected and found to have substantial damage. Published airport remarks include the following: "Birds and deer on and in vicinity of the airport."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N771CP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N771CP), registered now, S/N 18281781, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182T
- Registry model: [Cessna 182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182t) (registry code 2072703) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ab1a5) (registry code 41808, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18281781
- Airframe hours: 561
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AB1A5 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KHFD, Hartford, CT
- Destination: KLWM, Hartford, CT
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: KHFD, Hartford-Brainard

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 10, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 310 total, 170 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: KHFD, 6 nm away

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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