# NTSB ERA22LA102: Cessna 172, N6295E, Berlin, NJ, December 29, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 29, 2021, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Berlin, NJ
- Coordinates: 39.778444, -74.947806
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7784&lon=-74.9478&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 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): 104500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104500/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104500
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA102

## Probable cause

An inadvertent in-flight collision with a goose while on approach.

## 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 172, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072402), [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; cases with it: [Cessna 172, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072402), [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 final: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he turned onto final approach at dusk and turned the landing light on to look for deer. On short final approach, over the runway numbers about 50 to 80 ft above ground level, the landing light illuminated a flock of geese on the ground, and they scattered into the air. One of the geese contacted the leading-edge outboard section of the right wing and the airplane landed uneventfully. The pilot further reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the right wing by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the spar.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6295E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6295E), registered now, S/N 46395, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46395
- Year built: 1959
- Airframe hours: 3577
- Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 2021, 8 hours before
- Departed: NJ25, Clarksboro, NJ
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 19N, Camden County Airport, runway 23, 3,094 × 45 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 26, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,204 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,185 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KVAY, 10 nm away
- METAR: KVAY 292154Z AUTO 36003KT 9SM FEW011 08/06 A2995

## 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 20211229021479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211229021479A), Dec 29, 2021: Cessna 172, Berlin, NJ, Substantial damage. On approach to runway 23 of Camden County Airport (19N), at about 50-80 feet altitude, aircraft encountered a flock of geese, striking one with the right wing.…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104500. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13118002&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13117680&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.

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