Birdstrike: Cessna 182P, N9003M, accident occurred December 03, 2018 at Reno/Stead Airport (KRTS), Washoe County, Nevada

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 
 
https://registry.faa.gov/N9003M

Location: Reno, NV
Accident Number: GAA19CA086
Date & Time: 12/03/2018, 1320 PST
Registration: N9003M
Aircraft: Cessna 182
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Analysis 

The pilot receiving instruction reported that, while inbound on a practice instrument landing system approach about 1 mile from the runway, something struck the left wing. He added that he landed the airplane without further incident.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing sustained substantial damage. Given the evidence and the pilot's, it is likely that a bird struck the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The airplane's collision with a bird during a practice instrument approach.

Findings

Environmental issues
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach
Birdstrike (Defining event)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 64, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/04/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/01/2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 8300 hours (Total, all aircraft), 800 hours (Total, this make and model), 60 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 50, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/16/2017 
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/18/2017
Flight Time: (Estimated) 284.2 hours (Total, all aircraft), 135.2 hours (Total, this make and model), 204.9 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 21.7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N9003M
Model/Series: 182 P
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18264638
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/11/2018, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2900 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3341.4 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-470-R
Registered Owner: Comstock Aviation Inc
Rated Power: 235 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRTS, 5053 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2135 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 316°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 1300 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 100°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -2°C / -5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Light - Snow
Departure Point: Reno, NV (RTS)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR/IFR
Destination: Reno, NV (RTS)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1206 PST
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: RENO/STEAD (RTS)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 5050 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 32
IFR Approach: ILS; Practice
Runway Length/Width: 9000 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  39.658889, -119.865833 (est)