# NTSB ERA22LA124: Cessna 172RG, N9382D, Rocky Mount, NC, February 6, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 6, 2022, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Rocky Mount, NC · Turning Left Downwind Rwy 4 at KRWI
- Coordinates: 35.856253, -77.891933
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8563&lon=-77.8919&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: 3 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): 104647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104647/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104647
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA124

## Probable cause

An inflight 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.

- [Wing structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700/cases.md)
- [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 172RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072438), [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 172RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that as he was turning on the left downwind leg, he observed 5 or 6 large birds about 200 ft ahead of him, which appeared to be moving mostly downward and to the left of his heading. He attempted to climb and turn right to avoid them, but impacted one of the birds with the airplane’s left wing, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9382D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9382D), registered now, S/N 172RG1145, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG1145
- Year built: 1983
- Airframe hours: 8317
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Total Flight Solutions
- Registered owner: N9382d LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 30, 2021
- Departed: LHZ, Louisburg, NC
- Destination: RWI, Rocky Mount, NC
- Airport: RWI, Rocky Mount / Wilson Regional, runway 4, 7,099 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 30, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 97 total, 11 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.42 inHg
- Observed at: KRWI
- METAR: METAR KRWI 061953Z AUTO 03006KT 10SM BKN046 08/M06 A3042 RMK AO2 SLP301 T00781061

## 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 20220206002819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220206002819A), Feb 6, 2022: Cessna 172RG, Elm City, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft was near 1100 ft AGL turning to approach runway 4 at Rocky mount Wilson regional airport in Elm City, NC. The pilot encountered a group of 5-6 turkey…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 25, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104647. 9.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 8.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13677081&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20(Signed)_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13677204&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - information obtained from inspector mark c. allen (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13676528&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Information%20Obtained%20from%20Inspector%20Mark%20C.%20Allen-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 992 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13911130&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20for%20Docket-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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