# NTSB NYC90LA028: Cessna 205, N8419Z, Morristown, NJ, November 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1989, 11:59 local (16:59 UTC)
- Place: Morristown, NJ
- Location: 40.7966° N, 74.4773° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Morristown, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7966&lon=-74.4773&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36584
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36584/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA028

## Probable cause

IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH OBJECT.

## 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) (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A BIRD FLEW INTO THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND RIPPED ABOUT 1/3 OF THE ELEVATOR OFF. AN EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT AT MORRISTOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8419Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8419Z), registered now, S/N 205-0419, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 205
- Registry model: [Cessna 210-5(205)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5-205) (registry code 2073202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Davis
- Departed: N05, HACKETTSTOWN, NJ
- Destination: SFZ, PAWTUCKET, RI
- Airport: MMU, Morristown, runway 23, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,300 total, 250 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19891112059669I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891112059669I), Nov 12, 1989: Cessna 2105, Morristown, NJ, Minor damage. At cruise altitude, struck a large bird. Declared emergency and landed safely.

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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