# NTSB ERA22LA044: Cessna 172, N3HQ, Stevensville, MD, October 31, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 31, 2021, 17:54 local (21:54 UTC) - Place: Stevensville, MD - Coordinates: 38.978956, -76.34721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9790&lon=-76.3472&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104198 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104198/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104198 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA044 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a bird during 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 equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The instructor reported that during the initial climb, about 100 ft above ground level, he observed three birds on his left side, and he banked the airplane right. The trailing bird turned into the airplane, contacted the propeller, continued through the windshield, and struck the instructor in the face. After regaining control of the airplane, the instructor landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windshield, and the instructor sustained minor injuries. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3HQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3HQ), registered now, S/N 17269154 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17269154 - Year built: 1977 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chesapeake Searey LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2021, 27.7 hours before - Departed: W29, Stevensville, MD - Airport: W29, Bay Bridge, runway 29, 2,713 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 44; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review May 28, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,455 total, 3,125 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; injuries: none; seat: left; flight hours: 55 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: NAK, 7 nm away - METAR: KNAK 312154Z AUTO 29008KT 10SM FEW050 18/09 A2979 RMK AO2 SLP089 T01780094 $ ## 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 20211031020819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211031020819A), Oct 31, 2021: Cessna 172N, Stevensville, MD, Substantial damage. Aircraft was climbing through 100 feet during an overwater departure from runway 29 and struck a bird subsequently identified as a cormorant. The bird… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 31, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104198. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12939769&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA044%206120%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 586 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12934715&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Instructor_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 826 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12934762&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.