# NTSB WPR24LA049: Cessna 172N, N6212F, Watsonville, CA, November 29, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 29, 2023, 12:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.935733, -121.78963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9357&lon=-121.7896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193474/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193474
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA049

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird while in the initial climb.

## 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 · Ability to respond/compensate; 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)
- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; 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.

- [Initial climb: 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 flight instructor reported that during an instructional flight, while in the initial climb, a bird impacted the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor assumed the controls and was able to land safely at the destination airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6212F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6212F), registered now, S/N 17273167, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- 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: 17273167
- Year built: 1979
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Parker Helicopter LLC
- Registered owner: Parker Helicopter LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: WVI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: right
- Student pilot; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20231129018039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231129018039A), Nov 29, 2023: Cessna 172N, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. The student pilot and CFI took off from Watsonville, CA airport on 11/29/2023 around 1200 under normal conditions. During climb out, at about 800 feet MSL, the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193474. 3.4 MB in all.

- Student pilot statement and photos (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16491143&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=23%20N6212F-Rel.pdf
- Flight instructor statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16491569&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Bird%20Strike%20N6212F%2029%20Nov%202023_Redacted-Rel.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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