# NTSB NYC04LA212: Cessna 182H, N8463S, Nashua, NH, September 9, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 2004, 19:37 local (23:37 UTC)
- Place: Nashua, NH
- Coordinates: 42.781665, -71.514724
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7817&lon=-71.5147&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO-05
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA212

## Probable cause

An in flight collision with birds while landing.  A factor was the night conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot completing a local sunset flight, and was returning to the airport at night.  While the airplane was in the landing flare, it struck eight geese.  The pilot was able to complete the landing; however, both wings sustained substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

On September 9, 2004, at 1937 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182H, N8463S, was substantially damaged while landing at Boire Field (ASH), Nashua, New Hampshire.  The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that after completing a local "sunset" flight, he was cleared to land on runway 32 at ASH.  During the landing flare, about 500 feet beyond the approach end of the runway, the airplane struck eight geese.  The pilot was able to complete the landing; however, both wings sustained substantial damage.

The reported weather at ASH, at 1950, was:  wind from 190 degrees at 10 knots; visibility 7 miles; broken ceiling at 2,400 feet; overcast ceiling at 3,000 feet; temperature 78 degrees F.; dew point 73 degrees F.; altimeter 29.83 inches Hg.

Review of U.S. Naval Observatory data revealed that the sunset occurred at 1906, and the end of civil twilight was 1934.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8463S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8463S), registered now, S/N 18256563, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182H
- Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18256563
- Airframe hours: 5200
- Engines: Continental O-470 235 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Allen L. Grinnel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2004, 50 hours before
- Departed: ASH, Nashua, NH
- Destination: ASH
- Airport: ASH, Boire Field, runway 32, 5,501 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 3, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 562 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observed at: ASH

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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