# NTSB ERA14CA419: Dehavilland DHC 6 Twin Otter, N202EH, Pepperell, MA, August 23, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 23, 2014, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Pepperell, MA
- Coordinates: 42.7, -71.550003
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7000&lon=-71.5500&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: 10 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 11, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA419
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89997/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89997
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA419

## Probable cause

An inadvertent collision with a bird, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.

## 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: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2802606), [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: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2802606), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While climbing through 2,500 feet after takeoff, the pilot observed a red-tailed hawk approaching the airplane from below. The hawk impacted the left wing, and the pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing. The airplane subsequently landed without incident. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing.

## Factual narrative

While climbing through 2,500 feet after takeoff, the pilot observed a red-tailed hawk approaching the airplane from below. The hawk impacted the left wing, and the pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing. The airplane subsequently landed without incident. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N202EH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N202EH), registered now, S/N 48, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND DHC 6 TWIN OTTER
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-6-twin-otter) (registry code 2802606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6 SER 578HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6-ser-578hp) (registry code 61501, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 48
- Year built: 1967
- Airframe hours: 42864
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 680 horsepower turbo prop; Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Skydiving, Part 91
- Operator: Skydive Factory, Inc
- Registered owner: Skydive Factory, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 2014
- Departed: 26MA, Pepperell, MA
- Destination: 26MA, Pepperell, MA
- Airport: 26MA, Pepperell Airport, runway 6, 2,820 × 25 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,873.6 total, 374.5 in this make and model, 1,810.3 as pilot in command, 349.5 in the last 90 days, 130 in the last 30 days, 8.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: KASH, 5 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 20140823014419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140823014419A), Aug 23, 2014: Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER, Pepperell, MA, Minor damage. Twin otter, N202EH struck a hawk at 2000 feet while climbing for a jump operation. Hawk hit leading edge of the left wing putting a hole in leading edge and…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89997. 2.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417760&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Left%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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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