NTSB ANC24LA066 — 2024-07-11 · Kenai, Alaska, United States

Current FAA registration · N7848B

Make / Model: CURTISS WRIGHT C-46R
Year of manufacture: 1942 · 82 years old at event
Engine: P & W R-2800 SERIES (2000 hp)
Seats / Engines: 69 seats · 2 engines
Last airworthiness date: 19850131
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S AAA2D4

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N7848B Curtiss Wright C-46R None

Probable cause & findings

An in-flight collision with birds during takeoff.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff, as the airplane passed through 150 ft above ground level (agl) several birds impacted the leading edge of the left wing. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure. The pilot continued the takeoff and entered a left hand traffic pattern and eventually landed back at the airport. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Effect on equipment

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_ANC24LA066.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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