# NTSB ERA24LA137: Cessna 172, N1057R, Leesburg, VA, March 1, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 1, 2024, 08:14 local (13:14 UTC)
- Place: Leesburg, VA
- Coordinates: 39.077941, -77.562876
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0779&lon=-77.5629&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: 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): 193915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193915/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193915
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA137

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird while on the downwind leg of the airport 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 operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072439), [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 172S, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor reported that while on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern during a training flight he saw two birds in close proximity. While the student continued on the downwind leg, the flight instructor observed a black shadow in his peripheral vision and then heard a “thump.” The flight instructor informed the student of the bird strike, and with a positive exchange, took control of the airplane. He performed a normal no-flap landing and then taxied to the ramp. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the right wing had been substantially damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1057R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1057R), registered now, S/N 172S9814, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S9814
- Year built: 2005
- Airframe hours: 9883
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Adventures LLC
- Registered owner: Anesthesia Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 9, 2024, 50 hours before
- Airport: JYO, Leesburg Executive Airport, runway 35, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 18, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 376 total, 274 in this make and model, 313 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 22; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 12 total, 12 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.61 inHg
- Observed at: KJYO
- METAR: METAR KJYO 011315Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 01/M05 A3061 RMK AO2=

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193915. 13.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 11.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17729745&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20N1057R%20Bird%20Strike_Recd%205%206%202024_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Initial statement from flight instructor (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17729807&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Statement%20Fm%20Flight%20Instructor_1%20Pg-Rel.pdf
- Excerpts from illustrated parts catalog (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 889 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17729889&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=172S%20IPC%2057-10-01%20Figure%201-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 387 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17728559&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%20v01-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 680 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17728441&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Executed%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Redacted-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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