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ERA22LA102

2021-12-29 · Berlin, New Jersey, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 19N

Current FAA registration · N6295E

Make / Model
CESSNA 172
Year of manufacture
1959 · 62 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER (145 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19590117
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A83AB8

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

An inadvertent in-flight collision with a goose while on approach.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he turned onto final approach at dusk and turned the landing light on to look for deer. On short final approach, over the runway numbers about 50 to 80 ft above ground level, the landing light illuminated a flock of geese on the ground, and they scattered into the air. One of the geese contacted the leading-edge outboard section of the right wing and the airplane landed uneventfully. The pilot further reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the right wing by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the spar. 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
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Ability to respond/compensate

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2021_ERA22LA102.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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Related research

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