# NTSB WPR09CA182: Cessna 172S, N4915F, Snohomish, WA, April 4, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 4, 2009, 16:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Snohomish, WA - Coordinates: 47.908054, -122.105278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9081&lon=-122.1053&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73606 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73606/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA182 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a crow. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wing structure: ribs/bulkheads (on wing)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712/cases.md) - [Wing structure: spar (on wing)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035711): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035711/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035711/cases.md) - [Wing structure: plates/skins (on wing)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035730): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035730/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035730/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072434), [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. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was returning from the practice area on a supervised solo. He was on the downwind leg for landing at 1,500 feet when he saw a crow rising from below on the airplane's left side. He heard a large thud and felt the airplane buffet. The student pilot looked to verify that no other airplanes were in the vicinity. He checked the elevator and rudder visually and by "crabbing" the airplane using the rudder and adding power; he determined that the airplane was controllable and could be landed safely. Three outboard ribs of the left wing and the spar sustained substantial damage; the top and bottom skins were wrinkled from the leading edge to the spar. ## Factual narrative The student pilot was returning from the practice area on a supervised solo. He was on the downwind leg for landing at 1,500 feet when he saw a crow rising from below on the airplane's left side. He heard a large thud, and felt the airplane buffet. The student pilot looked to verify that no other airplanes were in the vicinity, and checked the elevator and rudder visually. He verified that by crabbing the airplane using the rudder and adding power, the airplane was controllable, and could be landed safely. Three outboard ribs of the left wing and the spar sustained substantial damage; the top and bottom skins were wrinkled from the leading edge to the spar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4915F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4915F-2012-12-10), registration cancelled 2012-12-10, S/N 17273101, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S7565 - Airframe hours: 2021 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Snohomish Flying Service - Registered owner: Snohomish Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 2009, 21 hours before - Departed: S43, Snohomish, WA - Destination: S43, Snohomish, WA - Airport: S43, Harvey Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KPAE, 5 nm away ## Other investigations on N4915F (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 MKC82DA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA049), Mar 22, 1982: Cessna 172 (N4915F), Jetmore, KS, 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. --- 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.