# NTSB ERA09CA195: Cessna 172P, N6089K, Cleveland, MS, March 6, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 5, 2009, 21:00 local (Mar 6, 2009, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Cleveland, MS - Coordinates: 33.761112, -90.757774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7611&lon=-90.7578&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73473 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73473/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA195 ## Probable cause The inadvertent encounter with a bird in flight. ## 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: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072436), [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: [Cessna 172P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that as he initiated a descent at night, 10 to 12 miles northeast of the destination airport, he heard a "loud bang" and felt the airplane shake. Both he and the flight instructor agreed that the engine gauges and flight instruments indicated normal operation, and no changes to the flight characteristics were noted. The strobe lights and navigation lights were on before the "loud bang" was heard; however, they had not yet turned on the landing lights. Upon landing and further examination of the airplane, blood and feathers were observed on the right wing, and substantial damage was incurred to the main spar and leading edge of the right wing. ## Factual narrative As a descent was initiated 10 to 12 miles northeast of the destination airport, a "loud bang" was heard by both the private pilot and the flight instructor, and they felt the airplane, a Cessna 172P, shake. Both pilots agreed that the engine gauges and flight instruments indicated normal operation, and no changes to the flight characteristics were noted. The strobe lights and navigation lights were on before the "loud bang" was heard; however, they had not yet turned on the landing lights. Upon landing and further examination of the airplane, blood and feathers were observed on the right wing, and substantial damage was incurred to the main spar and leading edge of the right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6089K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6089K), registered now, S/N 17274166, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274166 - Airframe hours: 5920 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Delta State University - Registered owner: Delta State University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 2008 - Departed: GTR, Columbus, MS - Destination: RNV, Cleveland, MS - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: RNV, Cleveland Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: none; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 21, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 877 total, 350 in this make and model, 780 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 78 total, 68 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 187° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GLH, 20 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 20090306002509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090306002509A), Mar 6, 2009: Cessna 172P, Cleveland, MS, Substantial damage. On Friday March 06, 2009 N6089K had a bird strike during descent into Cleveland, MS (rnv). No injuries were reported but the aircraft sustained substantial… ## Other investigations on N6089K (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA99LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA080), Feb 10, 1999: Cessna 172P (N6089K), Cleveland, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a blown nose tire, loss of directional control, and subsequent collision with terrain. 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.