# NTSB GAA17CA060: Cessna 172, N6026Z, Englewood, CO, November 7, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 6, 2016, 20:05 local (Nov 7, 2016, 03:05 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.649444, -105.043052 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6494&lon=-105.0431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94351
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94351/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94351
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA060

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with multiple birds.

## 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 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)
- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (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.

- [Enroute-cruise: 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 pilot reported while en-route about 2,500 feet above ground, under dark night visual meteorological conditions, multiple birds struck both wings and the cowling. The pilot further reported that the airplane had a "harsh rolling tendency to the right and reduced engine power." Subsequently, the pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control and landed without further incident at an airport about 3 nautical miles away. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported while en-route about 2,500 feet above ground, under dark night visual meteorological conditions, multiple birds struck both wings and the cowling. The pilot further reported that the airplane had a "harsh rolling tendency to the right and reduced engine power." Subsequently, the pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control and landed without further incident at an airport about 3 nautical miles away. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6026Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6026Z), registered now, S/N 172S10208, built 2006 (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: 172S10208
- Year built: 2006
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PUB, PUEBLO, CO
- Destination: FNL, FORT COLLINS/LOVELAND, CO
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 8, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 236 total, 46 in this make and model, 174 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KAPA, 5 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 20161106023069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161106023069A), Nov 6, 2016: Cessna 172S, Englewood, CO, Substantial damage. On 11/06/2016 at 2005 MDT, N6026Z, a Cessna 172S airplane flying above Englewood Colorado, impacted approximately 5 birds. There were 3 persons on board with…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 22, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94351. 765 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 508 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447765&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.

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