# NTSB GAA18CA475: Beech B300, N557AP, Wilmington, NC, August 1, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 1, 2018, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Wilmington, NC - Coordinates: 34.226387, -77.944725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2264&lon=-77.9447&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: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98017 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA475 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98017/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98017 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA475 ## Probable cause The airplane’s collision with a bird during approach. ## 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: [Beechcraft B300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=4220035), [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. - [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Beechcraft B300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=4220035), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he began the initial approach at the destination airport, about 1,800 to 2,000 ft mean sea level, and the airplane encountered a "widespread circling group of what appeared to be turkey vultures." The right wing struck a bird, and the airplane landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, he began the initial approach at the destination airport, about 1,800 to 2,000 ft mean sea level, and the airplane encountered a "widespread circling group of what appeared to be turkey vultures". The right wing struck a bird, and the airplane landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N557AP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N557AP), registered now, S/N FL-879, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech B300 - Registry model: [Beechcraft B300](https://openairdocs.org/model/beechcraft-b300) (registry code 4220035) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: FL-879 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 1256 - Engines: P&W Canada PT6A-60A 1050 horsepower turbo prop; P&W Canada PT6A-60A 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Atlantic Transportation Of Wilmington Ll - Registered owner: Atlantic Transportation Of Wilmington Ll - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Commuter - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 9, 2018 - Departed: UZA, Rock Hill, SC - Destination: ILM, Wilmington, NC - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 6, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,400 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 63; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 11, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,700 total, 330 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KILM, 3 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 20180801009559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180801009559A), Aug 1, 2018: Beechcraft Corp B300, Wilmington, NC, Substantial damage. Investigated an accident caused by a large bird strike on right outboard wing of aircraft. The damage was considered substantial by the NTSB, due to spar… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98017. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467872&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467873&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.