# NTSB ERA23LA014: Cessna 177RG, N2047Q, Dacula, GA, October 8, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 8, 2022, 18:56 UTC
- Place: Dacula, GA
- Coordinates: 34.015382, -83.873239 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0154&lon=-83.8732&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-IFR final approach: 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/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106098
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106098/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106098
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA014

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird 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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2073709), [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 · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2073709), [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-IFR final approach: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while on a published instrument approach procedure a bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure. He stated that there were no flight control difficulties and that he was able to land safely on the intended runway. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2047Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2047Q), registered now, S/N 177RG0447, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0447
- Year built: 1973
- Airframe hours: 1910
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2021, 67.1 hours before
- Departed: KFFC, Peachtree City, GA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LZU, Gwinnett County - Briscoe Fld, runway 25, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review March 29, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 360 total, 229 in this make and model, 314 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: LZU, 5 nm away
- METAR: KLZU 081856Z 28006KT 10SM CLR 24/07 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP222 T02390072

## 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 20221008022619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221008022619A), Oct 8, 2022: Cessna 177RG, Lawrenceville, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot departed kffc at approx 1414 on 10/8/2022 to klzu. Pilot was flying an instrument flight plan in VFR conditions for currency. Pilot was handed off to…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106098. 3.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14587761&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N2047Q_6120%20Printed_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14596291&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20Meersma%20Pilot%20Statement%20Summary-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 995 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14588810&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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