# NTSB ERA22LA084: Cessna 172S, N2100S, Midland, VA, December 3, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 3, 2021, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Midland, VA
- Coordinates: 38.58669, -77.711039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5867&lon=-77.7110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 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 Washington FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 104375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA084

## Probable cause

Collision with a bird in flight, which resulted in damage to the right-wing leading-edge spar.

## 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 172S, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)
- [Wing structure: spar (on wing)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035711): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035711/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035711/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 172S, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072439), [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.

- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor stated that they were performing some touch-and-go landings at the local airport. They were on a left crosswind turning to a left downwind when they noticed 4-5 large birds circling and moving from left to right. He stated that he believed the left turn they were in would avoid the birds; however, one of the birds impacted the leading edge of the right wing. The flight characteristics and handling seemed unchanged, so they continued to fly the normal flight pattern and performed a normal landing. The bird strike resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing leading-edge spar.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2100S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2100S), registered now, S/N 172S9589, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S9589
- Year built: 2004
- Airframe hours: 7044
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Adventures
- Registered owner: Bietsch Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 17, 2021, 18 hours before
- Airport: HWY, Warrenton-Fauquier, runway 33, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 38; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 405 total, 393 in this make and model, 365 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 66 total, 66 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KHWY
- METAR: KHWY 031615Z AUTO 27004KT 10SM OVC100 14/M04 A3005 RMK AO2 T01431045

## 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 20211203019219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211203019219A), Dec 3, 2021: Cessna 172S, Warenton, VA, Substantial damage. While conducting flight training operations in the pattern at khwy, Cessna 172S, N2100S, struck a bird while in flight. Student pilot was receiving instruction…

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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