Summary
On March 20, 2001, a Cessna 340 (N9940F) was involved in an incident near Alamosa, CO. All 6 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The in-flight collision with a large bird during downwind approach for landing.
On March 20, 2001, at approximately 1115 mountain standard time, a Cessna 340, N9940F, was substantially damaged when it collided with a bird while on approach to San Luis Valley Regional Airport, Alamosa, Colorado. The private pilot and his five passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for this business flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Cedar City, Utah, at approximately 0730.
According to the pilot's statement, he had just passed over the airport at 9500 feet mean sea level and entered the downwind leg for the approach to runway 20. At that moment he encountered a flock of large birds that flew up from below.
This incident is documented in NTSB report DEN01LA073. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9940F.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The in-flight collision with a large bird during downwind approach for landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On March 20, 2001, at approximately 1115 mountain standard time, a Cessna 340, N9940F, was substantially damaged when it collided with a bird while on approach to San Luis Valley Regional Airport, Alamosa, Colorado. The private pilot and his five passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for this business flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Cedar City, Utah, at approximately 0730.
According to the pilot's statement, he had just passed over the airport at 9500 feet mean sea level and entered the downwind leg for the approach to runway 20. At that moment he encountered a flock of large birds that flew up from below. One bird struck the leading edge of the right wing at approximately 3 feet inboard of the tip tank. The plot declared an emergency and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing's leading edge, skin, wing spar and auxiliary fuel cells. At the time of the accident, winds were light and variable at 3 knots.
The bird that was fatally injured was later identified as an adult sand hill crane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN01LA073