Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
An in flight collision with birds while landing. A factor was the night conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On September 9, 2004, at 1937 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182H, N8463S, was substantially damaged while landing at Boire Field (ASH), Nashua, New Hampshire. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated that after completing a local "sunset" flight, he was cleared to land on runway 32 at ASH. During the landing flare, about 500 feet beyond the approach end of the runway, the airplane struck eight geese. The pilot was able to complete the landing; however, both wings sustained substantial damage.
The reported weather at ASH, at 1950, was: wind from 190 degrees at 10 knots; visibility 7 miles; broken ceiling at 2,400 feet; overcast ceiling at 3,000 feet; temperature 78 degrees F.; dew point 73 degrees F.; altimeter 29.83 inches Hg.
Review of U.S. Naval Observatory data revealed that the sunset occurred at 1906, and the end of civil twilight was 1934.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC04LA212