# NTSB GAA18CA357: Bellanca 7ECA, N8646V, Fairbanks, AK, June 6, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 6, 2018, 05:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.650001, -147.61 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.6500&lon=-147.6100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97511 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA357 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97511/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97511 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA357 ## Probable cause The airplane’s collision with a bird while maneuvering. ## 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 equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=1220460), [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 · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=1220460), [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. - [Maneuvering: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, a bird struck the airplane's windscreen when he was practicing a steep turn. The airplane remained controllable, and he returned to the airport and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windscreen, windows, and skylight. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector revealed that the skylight had been installed incorrectly. 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 pilot, a bird struck the airplane's windscreen when he was practicing a steep turn. The airplane remained controllable, and he returned to the airport and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windscreen, windows and greenhouse. A post-accident examination of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Safety Inspectors revealed that the greenhouse had been installed incorrectly. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8646V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8646V), registered now, S/N 1089-75, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1089-75 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 2780.17 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: ProFlite of Alaska, LLC - Registered owner: Trainor, Thomas P. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2018 - Departed: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: minor; commercial, military, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2; last flight review May 30, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,546.3 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,020 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.56 inHg - Observed at: PAFA ## 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 20180606007139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180606007139A), Jun 6, 2018: Bellanca 7ECA, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. While conducting steep bank turns (left, 50 deg. Bank angle) at approx. 2000FT. MSL. And 100 mph airspeed the windshield and skylight shattered and pilot… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97511. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468067&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468068&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 238 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468069&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.