# NTSB LAX07CA279: Cessna 172L, N7221Q, Helena, MT, September 13, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 12, 2007, 19:30 local (Sep 13, 2007, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Helena, MT
- Coordinates: 46.6066666666667, -111.982777777778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6067&lon=-111.9828&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA279

## Probable cause

unexpected collision with birds on short final that damaged the airplane wing structure.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
  - wing,spar - foreign object damage (cause)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, as he was about 50 feet above ground level on short final over the threshold, the right wing leading edge of the airplane struck several birds.  There were no significant changes in how the flight controls felt on subsequent inputs, and the airplane landed without further incident.  The pilot stated that the flight departed the airport about 10 minutes prior to the collision, and they were conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in moderate crosswind conditions.  He stated that there were no NOTAM's in place warning of birds in the immediate area of the airport, and he did not have time to maneuver away from the birds.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, as he was about 50 feet above ground level on short final over the threshold, the right wing leading edge of the airplane struck several birds.  There were no significant changes in how the flight controls felt on subsequent inputs, and the airplane landed without further incident.  The pilot stated that the flight departed the airport about 10 minutes prior to the collision, and they were conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in moderate crosswind conditions.  He stated that there were no NOTAM's in place warning of birds in the immediate area of the airport, and he did not have time to maneuver away from the birds.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7221Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7221Q), registered now, S/N 17260521, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260521
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sleeping Giant Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: HLN, Helena, MT
- Destination: HLN, Helena, MT
- Airport: HLN, Helena Regional Airport, runway 27, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,850 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 320° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: HLN

## 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 20070912022719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070912022719A), Sep 12, 2007: Cessna 172L, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 12, 2007 at 1810 MDT a Cessna 172L N7221Q registered to sleeping giant flying club was on a landing approach to runway 27 at Helena Regional…

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.

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