# NTSB NYC98LA072: Mooney M20J, N1173N, Avoca, PA, February 28, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 27, 1998, 20:15 local (Feb 28, 1998, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Avoca, PA - Coordinates: 41.340915, -75.719886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3409&lon=-75.7199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 26, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39538 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39538/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA072 ## Probable cause a bird strike. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - object - bird(s) (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was being vectored for an ILS approach in night visual meteorological conditions, when he felt a jolt and the airplane descended. He recovered control of the airplane and proceeded directly to the airport, and landed without further difficulty. Post flight examination revealed a goose imbedded in the vertical stabilizer of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On February 27, 1998, about 2015 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20J, N1173N, was substantially damaged when it collided with a goose while on approach to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Avoca, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Bedford, Massachusetts, about 1830. The flight was conducted on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that he was at 4,000 feet, being vectored for the ILS approach when the bird strike occurred. He further stated: "...I heard a thud and the airplane suddenly dropped in a hurry. I noticed a very large deflection on the VSI, probably 1,500 FPM, maybe more, maybe less...I pulled hard on the yoke and eventually was able to level the plane. Trim adjustment relieved the down pressure, steering seemed a little funny, but I could place the problem I would bank, but not turn very sharply...." The pilot then requested to proceed directly to the airport and landed without incident. After engine shutdown, the pilot exited the airplane and found a goose imbedded in the vertical stabilizer. He also stated in the NTSB Report: "...I had hit a very large goose; squarely in the middle of the Mooney tail, just above the middle set of rivets...The rudder was binding and the whole...[tail] section would bend when I pressed the rudder pedals...The goose impact had rotated the tail around the bolt so that the horizontal stabilizer was in a strong nose down attitude...." A check of the airport NOTAMS found the following: "A110-3 BIRDS ON & INVOF ARPT." [Birds on and in the vicinity of the airport.] ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1173N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1173N), registered now, S/N 24-1335, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20J - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1335 - Airframe hours: 1307 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Scott E. Cutler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 1998, 3 hours before - Departed: BED, BEDFORD, MA - Destination: AVP - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: AVP, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 492 total, 152 in this make and model, 463 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19980227005949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980227005949A), Feb 27, 1998: Mooney M20J, Wilkes Barre Sc, PA, Substantial damage. Struck a goose during approach. Caused nose down. Found goose imbbeted in vertical stabilizer. Bird NOTAMS issued. (-23) pilot was on an IFR flight plan in VMC… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.