# NTSB FTW02LA124: Cessna 172R, N61LU, Longview, TX, April 12, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 12, 2002, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Longview, TX - Coordinates: 32.383888, -94.711387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3839&lon=-94.7114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54543 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54543/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54543 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA124 ## Probable cause The in-flight collision with a bird. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - object - bird(s) (cause) - evasive maneuver - not possible, pilot in command ## Analysis While established on a left base for runway 17, the pilot observed a large bird approximately 100 yards ahead of the airplane. After the bird flew above the airplane the pilot lost visual contact with the bird. Subsequently, the bird struck the right wing of the airplane. The pilot continued the approach and landed the airplane without further incident. ## Factual narrative On April 12, 2002, at 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna 172R single-engine airplane, N61LU, was substantially damaged when it collided with a bird while on a VFR approach at the East Texas Regional Airport (GGG), near Longview, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the LeTourneau University of Longview. The instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated from GGG, at 1500. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while the airplane was established on a left base for runway 17, he observed a large bird approximately 100 yards ahead of the airplane. After the bird flew above the airplane the pilot lost visual contact with the bird. Subsequently, the bird struck the right wing of the airplane. The 150-hour pilot was able to continue the approach and landed the airplane without further incident. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, revealed that the leading edge of the right wing was crushed and several structural ribs were damaged. The main spar for the right wing was also damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: N61LU (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172R - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17250589 - Airframe hours: 2343 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: LeTourneau University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 5, 2002, 23 hours before - Departed: GGG, Longview, TX - Airport: GGG, East Texas Regional Airport, runway 17, 6,109 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 7, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 125 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: GGG ## 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 20020412007079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020412007079A), Apr 12, 2002: Cessna 172R, Longview, TX, No damage. (-23) On April 12, 2002, at 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna 172R, N61LU, was substantially damaged when it collided with a bird while on a VFR approach at… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54543. 167 KB in all. - Photo 01: Overall view of the right wing. (item 1, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40186386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2001%3A%20Overall%20view%20of%20the%20right%20wing.-Master.PDF - Photo 02: Close up of the damage on the right wing. (item 2, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40186387&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2002%3A%20Close%20up%20of%20the%20damage%20on%20the%20right%20wing.-Master.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.