# NTSB GAA18CA048: Cessna 172M, N9678Q, Chico, CA, November 19, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 18, 2017, 18:45 local (Nov 19, 2017, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Chico, CA
- Coordinates: 39.789443, -121.852775 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7894&lon=-121.8528&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 14, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96339/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96339
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA048

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird.

## 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 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)
- [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/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 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor reported that, during the instructional night, cross-country flight, while in level flight about 3,500 ft, a bird struck the airplane and went through the windscreen. The airplane returned to the airport without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed that the windscreen sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that during the instructional night cross country flight, while in level flight about 3,500 ft, a bird struck the airplane and went through the windscreen. The airplane returned to the airport without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed that the windscreen sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9678Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9678Q), registered now, S/N 17265762, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M (M)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265762
- Year built: 1975
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Northgate Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Northgate Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Chico, CA
- Destination: O41, WOODLAND, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Heads up display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 44 total, 43 in this make and model
- Flight instructor; age 75; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 12, 2016; seat: right; flight hours: 4,490 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 4,040 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3.2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observed at: CIC

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 29, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96339. 727 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 727 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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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