# NTSB ERA20CA058: Cessna P210, N6300W, Gainesville, FL, December 21, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 21, 2019, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Gainesville, FL - Coordinates: 29.651666, -82.324165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6517&lon=-82.3242&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100731/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100731 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA058 ## Probable cause The airplane's impact by a bird during the initial climb. ## 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); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2073454), [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. - [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the initial climb and while about 1,500 ft mean sea level, he saw a bird flying "straight up," but when it reached the airplane's altitude, it turned toward the airplane. The bird then impacted the propeller, continued through the left side of the windshield, and struck the pilot's face. The airplane began descending, but the pilot regained control of the airplane, declared an emergency, and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windshield. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the initial climb, about 1,500 ft mean sea level, a bird was flying vertical and then turned into the airplane. The bird contacted the propeller, continued through the left side of the windshield, and struck the pilot in the face. After regaining control of the airplane, the pilot declared an emergency and landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windshield. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6300W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6300W-2020-09-28), registration cancelled 2020-09-28, S/N P21000744, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna P210 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P21000744 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 5700 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520P 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: N206dj, LLC - Registered owner: N206dj, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 2019 - Departed: GNV, Gainesville, FL - Destination: MYNN, Nassau - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 27, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,552 total, 28 in this make and model, 1,552 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 13 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: GNV, 3 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 20191221019809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191221019809A), Dec 21, 2019: Cessna P210N, Gainsville, FL, Minor damage. Pilot took off from Gainesville airport (gnv) with his wife on board headed for lynden pindling international airport (mynn) about 1130PM. At about 1500 feet… ## Other investigations on N6300W (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 ERA20LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA278), Aug 7, 2020: Cessna P210 (N6300W), Allendale, SC, destroyed. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power as a result of fuel starvation due to contamination from a thermoplastic polymer used in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to report… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 27, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100731. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Investigative Photo (item 2, .PDF, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigative%20Photo-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. --- 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.