# NTSB GAA16CA101: Cessna 182, N4423R, Baton Rouge, LA, January 11, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 11, 2016, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Baton Rouge, LA
- Coordinates: 30.622499, -91.141113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6225&lon=-91.1411&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Baton Rouge FSDO (FAA)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92595/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92595
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA101

## Probable cause

An inadvertent collision with a bird while maneuvering during an aerial observation flight.

## 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 R182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072734), [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.

- [Maneuvering: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while performing aerial observation along a pipeline, he spotted a buzzard about 200 feet ahead of the airplane. The pilot further reported that he attempted to turn left to avoid the buzzard, but the bird changed its course and struck the right wing. The pilot landed without further incident. A post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while performing aerial observation along a pipeline, he spotted a buzzard about 200 feet ahead of the airplane. The pilot further reported that he attempted to turn left to avoid the buzzard, but the bird changed its course and struck the right wing. The pilot landed without further incident. A post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4423R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4423R), registered now, S/N R18200597, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (RG)
- Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R18200597
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 6537.9
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 11, 2015
- Departed: L38, GONZALES, LA
- Destination: L38, GONZALES, LA
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 835 total, 123 in this make and model, 789 as pilot in command, 202 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours
- Other flight crew; age 75; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 18, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,400 total, 200 in this make and model, 5,320 as pilot in command, 196 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: KBTR, 6 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 20160111004159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160111004159A), Jan 11, 2016: Cessna R182, Baton Rouge, LA, Substantial damage. This is a synopsis of the pilot's statement: Pilot was flying approximately 6 miles NE of the Baton Rouge airport (btr) while on a pipeline patrol. A buzzard…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 7, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92595. 5.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Statement Pilot in Command (item 2, .PDF, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437302&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20Pilot%20in%20Command-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437303&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.