# NTSB GAA17CA086: Beech A36, N64793, Ft. Myers, FL, November 18, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 18, 2016, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Ft. Myers, FL - Coordinates: 26.536111, -81.755279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5361&lon=-81.7553&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94457 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94457/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94457 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA086 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a flock of 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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=1151604), [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: [Beech A36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=1151604), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The co-pilot reported "a flock of buzzards" passed in front of the airplane while en-route, and "the PIC [pilot in command] took evasive action." He further reported a buzzard collided with the airplane at the top of the windscreen and there was a "loud bomb like bang/thump" followed by a loud rush of air. Subsequently, the pilot in command declared an emergency with air traffic control and landed at the nearest airport without further incident. The windscreen was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The co-pilot reported "a flock of buzzards" passed in front of the airplane while en-route, and "the PIC [pilot in command] took evasive action." He further reported a buzzard collided with the airplane at the top of the windscreen and there was a "loud bomb like bang/thump" followed by a loud rush of air. Subsequently, the pilot in command declared an emergency with air traffic control and landed at the nearest airport without further incident. The windscreen was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64793](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64793), registered now, S/N E-2057, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A36 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: E-2057 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 4514 - Engines: Continental IO-55077B 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 2016 - Departed: FL59, FORT MYERS, FL - Destination: FL59, FORT MYERS, FL - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 4,040 total, 1,480 in this make and model - Other flight crew; injuries: minor; private; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 2,600 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KFMY, 10 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 20161118020399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161118020399A), Nov 18, 2016: Beech A36, Fort Myers, FL, Minor damage. On October 19, 2016, at 13:17 EDT, a Beech A36, 64793 encountered a bird strike enroute for landing at Southwest Florida International Airport (rsw) Fort Myers… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 19, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94457. 620 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455953&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Crewmember Statement (item 2, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Crewmember%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448470&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. --- 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.