# NTSB GAA19CA086: Cessna 182, N9003M, Reno, NV, December 3, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 3, 2018, 13:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.658889, -119.865837 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6589&lon=-119.8658&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98731/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98731 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA086 ## Probable cause The airplane’s collision with a bird during a practice instrument 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 operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2075816), [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. - [Approach: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot receiving instruction reported that, while inbound on a practice instrument landing system approach about 1 mile from the runway, something struck the left wing. He added that he landed the airplane without further incident. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing sustained substantial damage. Given the evidence and the pilot's, it is likely that a bird struck the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot receiving instruction reported that, while inbound on a practice instrument landing system (ILS) approach with the "foggles (view limiting device)" on. The flight instructor reported that, about 1 mile from the runway, a something struck the left wing. The pilot added that the airplane landed without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed the left wing sustained substantial damage. It was presumed that a bird struck the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9003M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9003M-2024-10-25), registration cancelled 2024-10-25, S/N 18264638, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 (P) - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18264638 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 3341.4 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 11, 2018 - Departed: RTS, Reno, NV - Destination: RTS, Reno, NV - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: RTS, Reno/Stead, runway 32, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 64; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,300 total, 800 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 18, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 284.2 total, 135.1 in this make and model, 204.8 as pilot in command, 21.7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KRTS, 1 nm away ## Other investigations on N9003M (2) 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. - [NTSB LAX05CA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA081), Jan 30, 2005: Cessna 182P (N9003M), Reno, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's misjudged flare, which resulted in a stall and a hard landing. - [NTSB LAX97LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA080), Dec 31, 1996: Cessna 182P (N9003M), Fullerton, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel system water contamination due to the failure of both pilots to purge all water from the fuel system prior to departure. Contributing factors were: failure of the mechanic conducting the recent… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98731. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470980&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470981&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 831 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.