# NTSB GAA18CA128: Cessna 140, N2829N, Keller, TX, February 9, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 9, 2018, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Keller, TX - Coordinates: 32.966667, -97.275276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9667&lon=-97.2753&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96737/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96737 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to gain altitude normally in order to avoid a flock of ducks flying overhead during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane striking a fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [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 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2071602), [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. - [Takeoff: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff, a flock of ducks crossed his flightpath, and with insufficient runway remaining to reject the takeoff , he remained low to fly under them. Unable to climb, the airplane's tailwheel struck a fence post beyond the departure end of the runway. The pilot returned and landed safely, however the airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and the right elevator. 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 during takeoff, a flock of ducks crossed his flight path, and with insufficient runway remaining to reject the landing, he remained low to fly under them. Unable to climb, the airplane's tailwheel struck a fencepost beyond the departure end of the runway. The pilot returned and landed safely, however the airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and the right elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2829N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2829N), registered now, S/N 13090, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 13090 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 3280 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 2017 - Departed: 7TX4, Keller, TX - Destination: LNC, Lancaster, TX - Airport: 7TX4, Hillcrest, runway 17, 2,000 × 30 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review October 12, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,321 total, 700 in this make and model, 3,321 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KAFW, 2 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 20180209002209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180209002209A), Feb 9, 2018: Cessna 140, Keller, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed RWY17. On climbout PIC reached over his left shoulder to turn on the noise cancelling feature on his headset. Pilot stated he was then… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 18, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96737. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.