Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 525A near Lincoln, NE — 2013-10-12

Final reportCEN14LA053
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Date
2013-10-12
Location
Lincoln, NE, USA
Airport
LNK
Aircraft
CESSNA 525A
Registration
N368PK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The airplane’s encounter with a flock of American White Pelicans, which resulted in one bird striking the right outboard wing during en route climb from the departure airport.

NTSB narrative

When the airplane reached an initial altitude of 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the departure air traffic controller issued a clearance to 10,000 feet msl and a right turn to about 060 degrees. The flight crew made the right turn and began to climb to 10,000 feet msl. During the climb and after passing about 6,400 feet msl at 200 knots indicated airspeed, the flight crew noted a flock of birds. One of the birds struck the right outboard wing, which resulted in wing spar damage. The airplane returned to the departure airport where it landed without further incident. The airport had a standing notice for bird activity on or in the vicinity of the airport. Further, a medium avian hazard risk existed at the time of the accident for the departure airport area. Although over 90 percent of reported bird strikes occur at or below 3,000 feet above ground level, strikes at higher altitudes are common during migration season. The bird remains were identified as an American White Pelican.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Environmental
First missed decision gate
Avoiding the bird strike by altering the flight path earlier.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 11 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents11

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