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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 2, 2020 · Cessna 172 S · N55231

San Jose, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 2, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
San Jose, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172 S (2014)
Tail Number
N55231
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR20LA256

The pilot stated that while in the downwind leg of a traffic pattern, the right wing of the airplane impacted an object. Subsequently, the airplane yawed to the right and lost altitude. The pilot notified the tower and immediately executed a precautionary landing. Postaccident examination of the airplane found damage to the right wing’s leading edge, just outboard of the side strut. The leading edge was crushed aft revealing internal surfaces of the wing structure. Feather fragments were later found on the internal surfaces. A large deceased golden eagle and a small hobby drone were found below the downwind leg traffic area during a search. The hobby drone was mostly undamaged and had signatures indicating that it had been in the area for an extended period of time and was not likely impacted by an airplane. Lab results confirmed the airplane impacted a golden eagle.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Ability to respond/compensate - C

Full Narrative

On August 2, 2020, about 1017 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172 airplane, N55231, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near San Jose, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that during the approach to Reid-Hillview (RHV) airport, while in the downwind leg for runway 31, the right wing of the airplane impacted an unknown object. Subsequently, the airplane yawed to the right and lost altitude. The pilot notified the tower and immediately executed a precautionary landing to runway 31. Postaccident examination of the airplane found damage to the right wing’s leading edge, just outboard of the side strut. The leading edge was crushed aft revealing internal surfaces of the wing structure. Feather fragments were later found on the internal surfaces. A large deceased golden eagle and a small hobby drone were found during a search below the downwind leg traffic area. The drone was mostly intact, and the finishes were faded. Search personnel who located the drone stated that it appeared the drone was there for a while. Sections of the airplane wing were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board’s Materials Laboratory for examination. Surfaces of the wing sections were inspected using an ultraviolet light, which revealed a fluorescing substance found to be a candidate for biological fluids. The feathers gathered from the deceased golden eagle and the feathers collected from the airplane’s wing were shipped to the Feather Identification Lab at the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of Natural History to look for avian contamination and identification. The results were consistent with that of a golden eagle or Aquila Chrysaetos, which were consistent with biological material recovered near the accident location. These results were consistent with those of other specimens sent directly to the Feather Identification Lab from the accident airplane, which were also consistent with an in-flight collision with the recovered golden eagle.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:17 PDT
Nearest AirportReid Hillview (1nm E)
Runway31R
Runway Length3100 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 S
Tail NumberN55231
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 45 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data