# NTSB ERA23LA106: Cessna 402, N2649Z, Mashpee, MA, November 18, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 18, 2022, 15:05, time zone not recorded
- Place: Mashpee, MA · Bird strike @ ~3500' 3NM E of KFMH
- Coordinates: 41.655452, -70.462132 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6555&lon=-70.4621&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 9 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 - Boston FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106556
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106556/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106556
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA106

## Probable cause

The airplane’s impact with a bird while enroute.

## 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 402C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=207590R), [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 402C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=207590R), [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.

- [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 402C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=207590R), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The operator reported that while enroute, the airplane encountered a flock of seagulls. The First Officer called out “birds” and the Captain attempted to take evasive action but one of the birds impacted the leading edge of the right wing, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. Subsequently, the crew diverted to a nearby airport and landed safely. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2649Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2649Z), registered now, S/N 402C0333, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402 (C)
- Registry model: [Cessna 402C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402c) (registry code 207590R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402C0333
- Year built: 1980
- Airframe hours: 27986.7
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating; CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Hyannis Air Service Inc, doing business as Cape Air
- Registered owner: Hyannis Air Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 9, 2022, 31.1 hours before
- Departed: KACK, Nantucket, MA
- Destination: KBOS, Boston, MA
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 27, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,159 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,342 as pilot in command, 291 in the last 90 days, 92 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 29, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,407 total, 451 in this make and model, 886 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: HYA, 9 nm away
- METAR: METAR KHYA 181956Z 24010KT 10SM FEW036 SCT050 06/M01 A2998 RMK AO2

## 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 20221118013349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221118013349A), Nov 18, 2022: Cessna C402, Sandwich, MA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed kack on scheduled flight enroute to kbos. During cruise flight at 3500', approximately 3 miles e of kfmh, aircraft struck a flock of…

## Other investigations on N2649Z (2)

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.

- [NTSB ANC97LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA150), Sep 15, 1997: Cessna 402C (N2649Z), Kivalina, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: An overstress fracture of the nose landing gear attachment. A factor associated with the accident was the rough landing area.
- [NTSB ANC97LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA145), Sep 8, 1997: Cessna 402C (N2649Z), Buckland, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot of the Cessna 402C, N2649Z, to maintain adequate clearance while taxiing alongside the stationary Cessna 208B, N1123R.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106556. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14964875&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1-%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N2649Z_V1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� vp of safety (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14965428&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2-%20MOR%20-%20VP%20Safety-Rel.pdf
- Photographs (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 725 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14964167&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3-%20Photo%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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