# NTSB GAA18CA345: Cessna 172, N383ME, Danbury, CT, June 9, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 9, 2018, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Danbury, CT - Coordinates: 41.371665, -73.482223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3717&lon=-73.4822&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97472 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA345 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97472/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97472 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA345 ## Probable cause A collision with a bird during initial climb. ## 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 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. - [Initial climb: 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 According to the flight instructor, a bird struck the airplane during initial climb. He and his student returned to the airport and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing's ribs. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the flight instructor, a bird struck the airplane during takeoff, initial climb. He and his student returned to the airport and landed without further complication. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing's ribs. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N383ME](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N383ME), registered now, S/N 172S8567, built 2000 (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 I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8567 - Year built: 2000 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Parlu Ventures LLC. - Registered owner: Parlu Ventures LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DXR, Danbury, CT - Destination: DXR, Danbury, CT - Airport: DXR, Danbury Muni - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 69; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 26, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 13,000 total, 1,280 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 22, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KDXR ## 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 20180609007439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180609007439A), Jun 9, 2018: Cessna 172S, Danbury, CT, Substantial damage. Danbury, CT (dxr): N383ME, C172S, dxr-unknown, reported a bird strike to the wing 2 miles north of dxr between 1,200-1,500 feet and returned to dxr. Landed… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97472. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468065&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468066&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.