# NTSB MIA06CA009: Cessna 172N, N952AC, Punta Gorda, FL, October 2, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 2, 2005, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Punta Gorda, FL
- Coordinates: 26.922777, -81.995277
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9228&lon=-81.9953&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06CA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA009

## Probable cause

The in-flight collision with a bird resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - bird(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that when the flight was approximately two to three nautical miles north of the Charlotte County Airport, a brown bird appeared to his left on a collision course.  He banked to the left in an attempt to avoid a collision but heard a "crash."  He noted damage to the right horizontal stabilizer; rudder and pitch control were affected.  He proceeded to the destination airport and landed uneventfully.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N952AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N952AC-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 17268001, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268001
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Naples Air Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: KPHK, Pahokee, FL
- Destination: KPGD, Punta Gorda, FL
- Airport: KPGD, Charlotte County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 1; flight hours: 108 total, 108 in this make and model, 108 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20051002030069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051002030069A), Oct 2, 2005: Cessna 172N, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 2, 2005, at approximately 11:00 hours EDT, a Cessna 172N, N952AC, registered to naples air center, inc., sustained substantial damage when a…

## Other investigations on N952AC (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 NYC07CA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA014), Oct 29, 2006: Cessna 172N (N952AC), Morgantown, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the flight instructor's improper planning and supervision of the student's solo cross country flight. A contributing factor was the…

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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