# NTSB MIA94LA012: Cessna 172M, N16582, Culebra, PR, October 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1993, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Culebra, PR
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37451
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37451/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA012

## Probable cause

The poor in-flight decision of the pilot-in-command to bank the airplane while flying low level instead of climbing to avoid collision with a bird. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing low flight over water and took evasive action to avoid a bird. During the evasive maneuver the left wing struck the water.

## Factual narrative

On October 16, 1993, about 1100 Atlantic standard time, N16582, a Cessna 172-M, registered to Pyrometer Assoc. Inc., and operated by James P. Matyas experienced a wing strike while maneuvering over water near Culebra, Puerto Rico, while on a 14 CFR 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from San Juan, Puerto Rico, about 20 minutes earlier.

The pilot stated that while practicing low flight, about 10 feet above the water, he observed a bird directly ahead, and initiated an evasive maneuver. The left wing struck the water damaging the tip, aileron, and rear spar. He then returned to the airport. The FAA and the NTSB were not notified of this accident until October 25, 1993.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N16582 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 64656
- Airframe hours: 2425
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Matyas, James P.
- Registered owner: Pyrometer Associates Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 1992, 81 hours before
- Departed: SIG, SAN JUAN, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,530 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JSJ, 25 nm away

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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