# NTSB GAA17CA573: Cessna 172, N520KS, Chino, CA, September 22, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 22, 2017, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Chino, CA - Coordinates: 33.970001, -117.61972 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9700&lon=-117.6197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: 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): 96190 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA573 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96190/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96190 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA573 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a bird while on downwind. ## 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 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. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: 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 flight instructor reported that, while the student pilot was flying on downwind, he noticed a bird approaching the airplane. He added that he took the flight controls from the student and banked left, but the airplane struck the bird. The airplane landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Diagram page for the airport stated, in part: "Birds and wildlife on and invof [in vicinity of] arpt." ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that, while the student pilot was flying on downwind, he noticed a bird approaching the airplane. He added that he took the flight controls from the student, banked left, but the airplane struck the bird. The airplane landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Diagram page for the airport in part stated: "Birds and wildlife on and invof [in vincinity of] arpt." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N520KS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N520KS), registered now, S/N 172S9734, built 2004 (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: 172S9734 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 8073.3 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hanseo USA LLC - Registered owner: Hanseo USA LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 20, 2017 - Departed: CNO, Chino, CA - Destination: CNO, Chino, CA - Airport: CNO, Chino, runway 26L, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 30; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 530 total, 450 in this make and model, 457 as pilot in command, 230 in the last 90 days, 98 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10 total, 10 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KCNO, 1 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 20170922024379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170922024379A), Sep 22, 2017: Cessna 172S, Chino, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot and flight instructor were inbound for landing turning base for runway 26L when a large bird hit the leading edge of the right wing of the Cessna… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 27, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96190. 3.7 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=40458383&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Airport Maintenance) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458384&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Airport%20Maintenance)-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.