# NTSB GAA19CA268: Piper PA32, N4599X, Saipan, April 19, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 19, 2019 - Place: Saipan - Coordinates: 15.118055, 145.724166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=15.1181&lon=145.7242&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: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99437 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA268 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99437/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99437 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA268 ## Probable cause The airplane’s collision with a bird during the initial climb, which resulted in the engine cowling separating and impacting the empennage. ## 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: [Piper PA-32-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7103212), [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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7103212), [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: [Piper PA-32-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The operator reported that, during the initial climb, about 1,500 ft, the pilot and passengers reported hearing and feeling an impact. Subsequently, the upper left engine cowling separated and struck the windshield. The pilot declared an emergency, returned to the departure airport, and landed without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed traces of blood on the propeller, the left wing leading edge, and the vertical stabilizer leading edge. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, which was consistent with impact damage from the separated engine cowling. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The operator reported that, during the initial climb, about 1,500 ft, the pilot and passengers reported hearing and feeling an impact. The upper left engine cowling separated and struck the windshield. The pilot declared an emergency, returned to the departure airport, and landed without further incident Postaccident examination revealed traces of blood on the propeller, left wing leading edge, and the vertical stabilizer leading edge. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, which was consistent with impact damage from the separated engine cowling. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4599X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4599X), registered now, S/N 32-7640040, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA32 (300) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7640040 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 8625.48 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Star Marianas Air Inc - Registered owner: Star Marianas Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 3, 2019 - Departed: GSN, Saipan - Destination: TNI, Tinian Island - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: GSN, Saipan International Airport - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 13, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,268 total, 425 in this make and model, 816 as pilot in command, 229 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 60° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F - Observed at: PGSN, 1 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 20190419003059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190419003059A), Apr 19, 2019: Piper PA-32-300, I Fadang, CM, Substantial damage. On April 19, 2019 at approximately 1830 local time, the Piper PA-32R-300 was involved in an accident involving the failure of the upper engine cowling during a… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 28, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99437. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473170&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473171&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 816 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473172&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.