Probable cause
An in-flight collision with a large bird during the airplane's initial climb.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that a large bird struck the nose of the airplane during its initial climb. The flight was about 1 mile north of the airport, 1,000 feet above ground level, at the time. The pilot elected to continue the approximately 20-minute flight to the intended destination, and the flight was completed without further incident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. A postaccident examination revealed impact damage to the nosecone and underlying airframe support structure.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA418 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 5, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sellersburg, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Clark Regional (JVY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 550
- N-number
- N73HH
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Executive or corporate
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.