# NTSB ERA23LA257: Cessna 402, N7037E, Charlotte Amalie, CB, June 4, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 4, 2023, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Charlotte Amalie, CB · On right downwind for runway 10
- Coordinates: 17.694145, -64.801191 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=17.6941&lon=-64.8012&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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 4 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): 192322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192322/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192322
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA257

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird while entering the traffic pattern.

## 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)

## 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 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 entering the traffic pattern for landing, the pilot saw a large bird and attempted to take evasive action, but the airplane and the bird collided. The bird entered the cabin through the right windscreen and struck two passengers. One passenger sustained serious injuries while the other passenger incurred minor injuries. The pilot declared an emergency and subsequently landed the airplane uneventfully. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7037E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7037E), registered now, S/N 402C0471, built 1981 (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: 402C0471
- Year built: 1981
- Airframe hours: 38473.2
- Engines: CONTINENTAL MOTOR TSIO520VB 325 horsepower reciprocating; CONTINENTAL MOTOR TSIO520VB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, 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, May 17, 2023, 51 hours before
- Departed: TUPJ, Roadtown, OF
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: TIST, Cyril E King Airport, runway 10, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 5, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,129 total, 266 in this make and model, 1,682 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observed at: TIST, 1 nm away
- METAR: TISX 041853Z 14010KT 10SM FEW021 SCT035 31/26 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP128 T03110256

## 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 20230604003339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230604003339A), Jun 4, 2023: Cessna 402C, Charlotte Amali, VI, Minor damage. On June 4, 2023, approximately 2:53PM, [privacy data omitted](stt-eis) suffered a bird strike just north of water island, st. thomas. The bird went through the…

## Other investigations on N7037E (1)

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 MIA00LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA195), Jun 30, 2000: Cessna 402C (N7037E), Naples, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: an inflight collision with a bird during descent that resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's vertical stabilizer spar.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192322. 2.4 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=15701550&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20ERA23LA257_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 275 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15701898&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ERA23LA275-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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