# NTSB SEA08CA123: Vans RV-7A, N269SD, Hollister, CA, May 3, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 2, 2008, 17:23 local (May 3, 2008, 00:23 UTC) - Place: Hollister, CA - Coordinates: 36.893333, -121.410003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8933&lon=-121.4100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67946 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67946/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA123 ## Probable cause The 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: [Farrell Sean Patrick VANS AIRCRAFT RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05624GI), [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. - [Takeoff: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Farrell Sean Patrick VANS AIRCRAFT RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=05624GI), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Farrell Sean Patrick VANS AIRCRAFT RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05624GI), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff initial climb, a large bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing slightly outboard of the fuel tank. The airplane immediately yawed and banked to left. The pilot attempted to straighten the airplane and land, however, despite his control inputs, the airplane continued to roll to the left. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground and the airplane cart wheeled. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the outboard sections of both wings and empennage. No mechanical anomalies were reported with the engine or airframe. A large deceased goose was found in the debris field following the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff initial climb, a large bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing slightly outboard of the fuel tank. The airplane immediately yawed and banked to left. The pilot attempted to straighten the airplane and land, however, despite his control inputs, the airplane continued to roll to the left. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground and the airplane cart wheeled. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the outboard sections of both wings and empennage. No mechanical anomalies were reported with the engine or airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N269SD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N269SD-2008-12-08), registration cancelled 2008-12-08, S/N 72505, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vans Aircraft RV-7A - Registry model: [Farrell Sean Patrick VANS AIRCRAFT RV-7A](https://openairdocs.org/model/farrell-sean-patrick-vans-aircraft-rv-7a) (registry code 05624GI) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 72505 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 220 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sean Patrick Farrell - Registered owner: Sean Patrick Farrell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KCVH, Hollister, CA - Airport: 1C9, Frazier Lake Airpark, runway 23, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 515 total, 240 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 11 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KSNS ## 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 20080502834479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080502834479A), May 2, 2008: Amtr RV7A, Hollister, CA, Substantial damage. (-23)At approximately 1715 on may 2, 2008 the pilot of an RV-7A, N269SD was practicing touch and goes at Frazier lake airstrip (1C9), near Hollister, CA when… 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.