# NTSB GAA16CA078: Cessna 525, N525DY, Monroeville, AL, November 6, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 6, 2015, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Monroeville, AL - Coordinates: 31.45861, -87.350555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4586&lon=-87.3506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92443/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92443 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA078 ## Probable cause An inadvertent collision with a bird during takeoff enroute climb, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. ## 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: [All aircraft, 359 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-climb to cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while climbing through 3000 feet mean sea level (MSL), a flock of birds was seen immediately in front of the airplane. The pilot reported that about 1 second after seeing the flock of birds, a single bird impacted the leading edge of the right wing. The pilot returned to the departure airfield and landed without further incident. A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while climbing through 3000 feet mean sea level (MSL), a flock of birds was seen immediately in front of the airplane. The pilot reported that about 1 second after seeing the flock of birds, a single bird impacted the leading edge of the right wing. The pilot returned to the departure airfield and landed without further incident. A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N525DY (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 525 (A) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 306 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 3100 - Engines: WILLIAMS FJ-44-1A 1900 lbs thrust turbo fan; WILLIAMS FJ-44-1A 1900 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Execuflight LLC. - Registered owner: Execuflight LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MVC, Monroeville, AL - Destination: ALX, ALEXANDER CITY, AL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MVC, Monroe County, runway 21, 6,028 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KGZH, 16 nm away ## 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 20151106021819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151106021819A), Nov 6, 2015: Cessna 525, Monroeville, AL, Substantial damage. 11/6/15: Scheduled kmvc to kalx. Weather : VFR, lightly scattered cloud layer. IFR flight plan was activated on the ground at kmvc with atlanta center.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92443. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437409&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437410&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.