# NTSB GAA17CA373: Cessna 172, N79938, Roseburg, OR, June 25, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 25, 2017, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Roseburg, OR - Coordinates: 43.239444, -123.355834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2394&lon=-123.3558&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95454 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA373 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95454/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95454 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA373 ## 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: [Cessna 172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072430), [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: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was in the pattern performing touch-and-go landings. During a left descending turn from downwind to base, about ten large birds came into view below the airplane's nose. He recalled that they appeared quickly and that he was unable to take evasive action. He heard and felt a strike, followed by "an appreciable drag on the left side." He also saw visible damage to the left wing. The pilot landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing ribs and leading edge. 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 reported that he was in the pattern performing touch and go landings. During a left descending turn from downwind to base, about ten large birds came into view below the nose of the airplane. He recalled that they appeared quickly and he was unable to take evasive action. He heard and felt a strike, followed by, "an appreciable drag on the left side." He also saw visible damage to the left wing. The pilot landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing ribs and leading edge. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79938](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79938), registered now, S/N 17258265 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (K) - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258265 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 6111.09 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 2016 - Departed: KRBG, Roseburg, OR - Destination: KRBG, Roseburg, OR - Airport: RBG, Roseburg Rgnl, runway 34, 5,003 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 28, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 182 total, 50 in this make and model, 116 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KRBG ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20170625012029I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170625012029I), Jun 25, 2017: Cessna 172K, Roseburg, OR, Minor damage. During downwind landing to rwy 34 the airplane struck a bird at the left wing leading edge. The pilot said that he advised the field he had handling and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95454. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457643&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457644&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.