# NTSB GAA16CA126: Piper PA31, N102WM, Newport, RI, February 5, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 4, 2016, 19:15 local (Feb 5, 2016, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Newport, RI
- Coordinates: 41.523887, -71.285003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5239&lon=-71.2850&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-IFR final approach: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Boston FSDO (FAA)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92719/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92719
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA126

## Probable cause

An inadvertent collision with birds during final approach at night.

## 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: [Piper PA-31-350, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7103110), [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-IFR final approach: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-31-350, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7103110), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported during night visual meteorological conditions, he struck multiple birds at an altitude of about 300 to 400 feet above ground on final approach. The pilot continued the approach and landed without further incident. A postaccident 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 during night visual meteorological conditions, he struck multiple birds at an altitude of about 300 to 400 feet above ground on final approach. The pilot continued the approach and landed without further incident. A postaccident 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: [N102WM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N102WM), registered now, S/N 31-8152112, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA31 (350)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8152112
- Year built: 1981
- Airframe hours: 5638.9
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-52BD 350 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING LTIO-540 52BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 2015
- Departed: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY
- Destination: UUU, Newport, RI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: UUU, Newport State, runway 04, 2,999 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,599 total, 1,847 in this make and model, 2,238 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KUUU, 15 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 20160204004329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160204004329A), Feb 4, 2016: Piper PA-31-350, Newport, RI, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck multiple birds of unknown type on short final approach into kuuu. Multiple points of impact on right wing outboard of nacelle. Aircraft…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92719. 2.3 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=40437929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 415 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.

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