# NTSB SEA00LA091: Cessna 310R, N30RA, Wolf Point, MT, May 25, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 2000, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Wolf Point, MT
- Coordinates: 48.280586, -105.660285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2806&lon=-105.6603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49278/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA091

## Probable cause

In flight collision with birds.

## 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)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

Shortly after takeoff from runway 11, about 600 feet above ground level (AGL), the aircraft collided with multiple geese.  The pilot stated that he heard 3-4 loud bangs just before the aircraft's windshield shattered.  The aircraft subsequently collided with terrain and burned.  The pilot was unable to recall any of the detailed events between the time of the bird strikes and the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

On May 25, 2000, about 0845 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 310R, N30RA, operated by Richland Aviation, of Sidney, Montana, was destroyed subsequent to colliding with multiple geese and impacting terrain approximately 5 miles southeast of Wolf Point, Montana.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained serious injuries.  The aircraft was being operated as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight, when the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from Clayton Municipal Airport, approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident.  Impact forces and post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft.

Shortly after takeoff from runway 11, about 600 feet above ground level (AGL), the aircraft collided with multiple geese.  The pilot stated that he heard 3-4 loud bangs just before the aircraft's windshield shattered.  The aircraft subsequently collided with terrain and burned.  The pilot was unable to recall any of the detailed events between the time of the bird strikes and the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30RA-2000-10-10), registration cancelled 2000-10-10, S/N 310R0079 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 310R
- Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310R-0079
- Airframe hours: 11492
- Engines: Continental IO-520-MB1B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Richland Aviation
- Registered owner: Philip O. Petrik
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 2000, 2 hours before
- Departed: OLF, WOLF POINT, MT
- Destination: SDY, SIDNEY, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 696 total, 100 in this make and model, 392 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OLF, 5 nm away

## 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 20000525006989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000525006989A), May 25, 2000: Cessna 310R, Wolf Point, MT, No damage. (-23) Pilot reported that on takeoff climb from Wolf Point, Montana, at approximately 600' AGL, aircraft began to level off and hit 4 canadian geese causing…

## Other investigations on N30RA (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 DEN83LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA029), Dec 2, 1982: Cessna 310R (N30RA), Miles City, MT, substantial damage

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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