# NTSB GAA18CA071: Cessna 402, N2748Y, Hyannis, MA, December 4, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 4, 2017, 17:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Hyannis, MA
- Coordinates: 41.668888, -70.280281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6689&lon=-70.2803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96435/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96435
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA071

## Probable cause

Encounter with a flock of birds during takeoff at night, resulting in multiple bird strikes and structural damage.

## 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 · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 402C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=207590R), [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 402C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=207590R), [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.

- [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 402C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=207590R), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he took off at night, and during the initial climb about 800ft above the ground, the airplane ran into a flock of birds. The pilot declared an emergency with the tower and landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wind screen and the windscreen frame. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he took off at night, and during the initial climb about 800ft above the ground, the airplane ran into a flock of birds. The pilot declared an emergency with the tower and landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wind screen and the windscreen frame. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2748Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2748Y-2021-04-17), registration cancelled 2021-04-17, S/N 402C0248, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402 (C)
- Registry model: [Cessna 402C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402c) (registry code 207590R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402C0248
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 33449.6
- Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 5, 2017
- Departed: HYA, Hyannis, ME
- Destination: HYA, Hyannis, ME
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: HYA, Barnstable Muni-Boardman/Polan, runway 06, 5,425 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,400 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 5,900 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.46 inHg
- Observed at: KHYA

## 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 20171204022689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171204022689A), Dec 4, 2017: Cessna 402C, Hyannis, MA, Substantial damage. During climbout aircraft impacted a flock of birds causing substantial damage. No injury to the pilot.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 8, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96435. 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=40463035&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463036&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.

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