Probable cause
The inadvertent encounter with a bird in flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that as he initiated a descent at night, 10 to 12 miles northeast of the destination airport, he heard a "loud bang" and felt the airplane shake. Both he and the flight instructor agreed that the engine gauges and flight instruments indicated normal operation, and no changes to the flight characteristics were noted. The strobe lights and navigation lights were on before the "loud bang" was heard; however, they had not yet turned on the landing lights. Upon landing and further examination of the airplane, blood and feathers were observed on the right wing, and substantial damage was incurred to the main spar and leading edge of the right wing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA195 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 6, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cleveland, Mississippi
- Nearest airport
- Cleveland Municipal Airport (RNV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Cessna 172P
- N-number
- N6089K
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.