# NTSB GAA17CA244: Beech 99, N899CZ, Waukesha, WI, April 24, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 24, 2017, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC) - Place: Waukesha, WI - Coordinates: 43.04111, -88.236946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0411&lon=-88.2369&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95065 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95065/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95065 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA244 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a bird during the 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: [Beech 99A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=1154003), [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: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 99A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=1154003), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot flying the airplane reported that, during an instrument flight rules instructional flight, the airplane was established on a very high frequency omnidirectional range approach. The pilot reported that, during the approach, he observed a large bird dive into the airplane's nose section. The pilot recalled that there was no time to react between the initial observation and impact. He terminated the training flight and landed the airplane as soon as practical and without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in command (PIC) of the airplane reported that during an instrument flight rules instructional flight, the airplane was established on a very high frequency omnidirectional range approach. The PIC reported that during the approach he observed a large bird that dove into the nose section of the airplane. The PIC recalled that there wasn't any reaction time between the initial observation and impact. He terminated the training flight and landed the airplane as soon as practical and without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N899CZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N899CZ), registered now, S/N U-96 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 99 (A) - Registry model: [Beech 99A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-99a) (registry code 1154003) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U-96 - Airframe hours: 30823 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-28 680 horsepower turbo prop; Pratt & Whitney PT6A-28 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Freight Runners Express Inc - Registered owner: Freight Runners Express Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, April 3, 2017 - Departed: KMKE, Milwaukee, WI - Destination: KEUS, Waukesha, WI - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: UES, Waukesha County, runway 18, 5,849 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,568 total, 518 in this make and model, 2,425 as pilot in command, 154 in the last 90 days - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,244 total, 5 in this make and model, 588 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KUES ## 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 20170424003359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170424003359A), Apr 24, 2017: Beech 99A, Waukesha, WI, Substantial damage. PIC was conducting training with a student that was under the hood. As they were setting up for the vor-a into kues from a hold over bae VOR, at 3000' MSL, the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95065. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456613&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.