CircumFlightN6300W Cessna P210 accident
NTSB ERA20CA058 · 2019-12-21 · Gainesville, FL
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
The pilot reported that, during the initial climb and while about 1,500 ft mean sea level, he saw a bird flying "straight up," but when it reached the airplane's altitude, it turned toward the airplane. The bird then impacted the propeller, continued through the left side of the windshield, and struck the pilot's face. The airplane began descending, but the pilot regained control of the airplane, declared an emergency, and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windshield. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Full narrative
The pilot reported that during the initial climb, about 1,500 ft mean sea level, a bird was flying vertical and then turned into the airplane. The bird contacted the propeller, continued through the left side of the windshield, and struck the pilot in the face. After regaining control of the airplane, the pilot declared an emergency and landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windshield. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause
The airplane's impact by a bird during the initial climb. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- NONE
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 80
- Wind speed (kt)
- 13
- Temperature (F)
- 72
- Distance from field
- 0.0
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N6300W | Cessna | P210 | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Initial climb Birdstrike defining | Takeoff |
| 2 | Initial climb Attempted remediation/recovery | Takeoff |
| 3 | Landing Off-field or emergency landing | Cruise |