# NTSB ERA24LA065: Cessna 172, N733QJ, Newport News, VA, December 11, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 11, 2023, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Newport News, VA · Traffic pattern PHF. - Coordinates: 37.13167, -76.48833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1317&lon=-76.4883&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: 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): 193523 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193523/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193523 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA065 ## Probable cause An inflight collision with a bird during initial climb. ## 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 172N, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072434), [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. - [Takeoff: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and the pilot-rated student were in the flying in the airport traffic pattern practicing takeoffs and landings. During the initial climb following a touch-and-go landing, with the student at the controls, a large bird flew directly in front of the airplane. The student attempted to avoid it; however, the bird struck the leading edge of the left wing. The flight instructor took over the controls and landed the airplane uneventfully. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and found that the wing had been substantially damaged as a result of the birdstrike. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733QJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733QJ), registered now, S/N 17268463, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268463 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 9499 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Rick Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Rick Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 3, 2023, 63 hours before - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PHF, Newport News Williamsburg Intl, runway 25, 8,003 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Video recording device, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 52; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 9, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,115 total, 141 in this make and model, 1,847 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 31, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 731 total, 13 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: PHF ## 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 20231211017339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231211017339A), Dec 11, 2023: Cessna 172N, New Port News, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on takeoff roll and at 2O feet AGL struck a bird. Aircraft continued takeoff and returned to the airport. ## Other investigations on N733QJ (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 CHI80DEG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DEG06), Nov 27, 1979: Cessna 172N (N733QJ), Hillsboro, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193523. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16512894&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Flight instructor's written statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16513357&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20Flight%20Instructor%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16513057&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20Investigation%20Photographs-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.