# NTSB SEA08CA077: Cessna 172SP, N577SP, Mesa, AZ, February 8, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 7, 2008, 20:45 local (Feb 8, 2008, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.307777, -111.655281
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3078&lon=-111.6553&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA077

## Probable cause

an in-flight collision with a bird.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During cruise flight at an altitude of 3,500 feet above ground level (agl), a bird impacted the leading edge of the right wing, inboard of the wing lift strut attach point.  The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated he did not see the bird until just before it impacted the wing.  The CFI evaluated the damage in-flight and decided to continue the flight to his intended destination and landed without further incident.  Examination of the right wing revealed the leading edge was crushed aft and two internal wing ribs were damaged.

## Factual narrative

During cruise flight at an altitude of 3,500 feet above ground level (agl), a bird impacted the leading edge of the right wing, inboard of the wing lift strut attach point.  The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated he did not see the bird until just before it impacted the wing.  The CFI evaluated the damage in-flight and decided to continue the flight to his intended destination and landed without further incident.  Examination of the right wing revealed the leading edge was crushed aft and two internal wing ribs were damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N577SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N577SP), registered now, S/N 172S8503, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172SP
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S8503
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: National Pilot Academy
- Registered owner: Christiansen Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KFFZ, Mesa, AZ
- Destination: KRYN, Tucson, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 33; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 642 total, 296 in this make and model, 311 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 25; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 41 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KIWA

## 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 20080207011049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080207011049A), Feb 7, 2008: Cessna 172S, Mesa, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) At 3,500' MSL, approximately 5 to 6 NM south of kiwa, N577SP suffered a bird strike. Both pilots heard a loud "thud", and then noticed that the right…

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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