# NTSB WPR13CA246: Cessna U206G, N707WJ, Friday Harbor, WA, May 14, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 14, 2013, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Friday Harbor, WA
- Coordinates: 48.521945, -123.024169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5219&lon=-123.0242&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: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87019/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87019
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA246

## Probable cause

A collision with a bird while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern.

## 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 · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2073356), [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 U206G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2073356), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane struck an eagle on the downwind leg in the airport traffic pattern. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right outboard wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane struck an eagle on the downwind leg in the airport traffic pattern. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right outboard wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N707WJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N707WJ), registered now, S/N U20604054, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206G
- Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20604054
- Airframe hours: 6359
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Island Air
- Registered owner: Cannery Leasing Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2013
- Departed: KOKH, Oak Harbor, WA
- Destination: FHR, Friday Harbor, WA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: FHR, Friday Harbor, runway 16

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 5,910 total, 1,750 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 12, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87019. 1.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 937 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1: Airplane Damage (item 2, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393758&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Airplane%20Damage-Master.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.

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