# NTSB WPR10IA045: Beech C-99, N330AV, Show Low, AZ, November 4, 2009 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: November 4, 2009, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Show Low, AZ - Coordinates: 34.255832, -110.003334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2558&lon=-110.0033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75003 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10IA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75003/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75003 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10IA045 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a bird during initial descent. ## 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) ## Analysis Shortly after the pilot began the descent to land, about 11,000 feet mean sea level, a bird struck the upper portion of the left pilot’s side windshield, resulting in minor damage to the airplane. The bird made an approximately 11-inch by 8-inch hole, sending bird and glass fragments into the cockpit area. The glass remaining in the windshield was shattered and almost opaque. The pilot continued the descent and landed the airplane uneventfully. Remains from the bird were sent to the Smithsonian Institute and identified as Western Grebe; the average weight of this species is 3.3 pounds. ## Factual narrative On November 4, 2009, about 0750 mountain standard time (MST), a Beech C-99, N330AV, encountered a bird strike while on approach to Show Low Regional Airport (SOW), Show Low, Arizona. Ameriflight, LLC, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 cargo flight. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries, and the airplane sustained minor damage to the left front pilot windshield. The cross-country cargo flight departed Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Phoenix, Arizona, about 0715. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The operator reported that shortly after the pilot began the descent into SOW, about 11,000 feet mean sea level (msl), a bird struck the upper portion of the left pilot’s side windshield. The bird made an approximate 11-inch by 8-inch hole, sending bird and glass fragments into the cockpit area. The glass remaining in the windshield was shattered and contained an almost opaque appearance. The pilot continued the descent and landed the airplane uneventfully. Remains from the bird were recovered from the airplane and sent to the Smithsonian Institute for identification. According to the test results, the remains were identified as Western Grebe. The average weight of this species is 3.3 pounds. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N330AV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N330AV), registered now, S/N U-230, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH C-99 - Registry model: [Beech C-99](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-99) (registry code 1154006) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U-230 - Airframe hours: 22205 - Engines: P&W PT6A SER 715 horsepower turbo prop; P&W PT6A SER 715 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Ameriflight, LLC - Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, September 23, 2009, 60 hours before - Departed: PHX, Phoenix, AZ - Destination: SOW, Show Low, AZ - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: SOW, Show Low Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,760 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg - Observed at: SOW, 20 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). - [Incident 20091104022249I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091104022249I), Nov 4, 2009: Beech C99, Show Low, AZ, Minor damage. On a single cargo flight from phx to sow, during descent when at about 11,000 feet and 20 miles out of sow, a bird struck the upper center section of the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 13, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75003. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Letter from Smithsonian - Bird Identification (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Letter%20from%20Smithsonian%20-%20Bird%20Identification-Redacted.PDF 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.