# NTSB GAA19CA451: Cessna 402, N300SN, St. Louis, MO, July 21, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2019, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: St. Louis, MO - Coordinates: 38.75, -90.374725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7500&lon=-90.3747&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 9 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99922 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA451 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99922/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99922 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA451 ## Probable cause The airplane’s collision with a bird during short final. ## 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 402C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=207590R), [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: [Cessna 402C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=207590R), [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-VFR pattern final: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 402C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=207590R), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The operator's director of safety reported that, during short final, the pilot quickly maneuvered the airplane to avoid a bird. When the pilot rolled wings level, a second bird went through the propeller and struck the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot then landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The director of safety reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The operator's director of safety reported that, during short final, the pilot quickly maneuvered the airplane to avoid a bird. When the pilot rolled wings level, a second bird went through the propeller and struck the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot then landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The director of safety reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N300SN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300SN-2023-08-18), registration cancelled 2023-08-18, S/N 402C0060, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 402 (C) - Registry model: [Cessna 402C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402c) (registry code 207590R) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402C0060 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 24579.3 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating; Continental TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Hyannis Air Service Inc, doing business as Cape Air - Registered owner: Hyannis Air Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, July 4, 2019 - Departed: MWA, Marion, IL - Destination: STL, St. Louis, MO - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: STL, St Louis Lambert Intl, runway 12R, 11,019 × 200 ft, concrete - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,762 total, 1,365 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 186 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KSTL ## 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 20190721012379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190721012379A), Jul 21, 2019: Cessna 402C, St. Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Short final the pilot did a quick maneuver to avoid a hawk. When he rolled wings level the 2nd hawk came through the bottom of the prop, Under the wing and… ## Other investigations on N300SN (1) 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 ANC04CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04CA085), Aug 5, 2004: Cessna 402C (N300SN), Huslia, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear, which resulted in an inadvertent wheels up landing. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's diverted attention. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 3, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99922. 4.2 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=40476413&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 773 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476414&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.