# NTSB GAA17CA207: Cessna 550, N551BC, Salt Lake City, UT, March 24, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 24, 2017, 12:47 local (18:47 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.798889, -111.995552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7989&lon=-111.9956&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94921/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94921
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA207

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a goose during approach.

## 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: [Cessna 550, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2076604), [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: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 550, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2076604), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during approach, a goose struck the airplane's left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot continued the approach and landed without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during approach a goose struck the airplane's left horizontal stabilizer. The airplane continued the approach and landed without further incident. A post-accident examination revealed the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N551BC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N551BC), registered now, S/N 550-0242, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 550 (CITATION I)
- Registry model: [Cessna 550](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-550) (registry code 2076604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-jt15d-4-series) (registry code 52112, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 550-242
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 8575
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney CANADA JT15D-4 2500 horsepower turbo fan; Pratt & Whitney CANADA JT15D-4 2500 horsepower turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 14, 2017
- Departed: SEE, SAN DIEGO/EL CAJON, CA
- Destination: SLC, Salt Lake City, UT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SLC, Salt Lake City Intl, runway 16R, 12,000 × 150 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Onboard weather, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 2, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 5,200 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: KSLC, 2 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 20170324002189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170324002189A), Mar 24, 2017: Cessna 550, Salt Lake City, UT, Substantial damage. While N551BC a citation 550 was descending through 6,000 MSL it encountered a birdstrike. Pilot reported some control issues but landed safely at kslc.…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 8, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94921. 2.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451886&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 265 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451887&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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