History of Flight
On July 4, 2009, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Lancair LC42-550FG, registration N6502A, was substantially damaged after striking birds during landing at Ocean City Municipal Airport (26N) in Ocean City, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which departed Lancaster Airport (LNS) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, about 0924 eastern daylight time. An instrument flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to the pilot, during landing at 26N, the airplane struck two Canada geese that wandered onto the runway from the surrounding grassy area. The geese made contact with the airplane’s propeller and the right main landing gear. After striking the geese, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and struck a concrete runway light-mounting pad.
Personnel Information
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on July 20, 2008. He reported 1,130 total hours of flight experience on that date.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane was a 4-seat, tricycle landing gear equipped, low wing monoplane of composite construction. It was powered by a 310 horsepower Continental IO-550-N engine. According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 2004 and had accumulated 967.4 total hours of operation at the time of the accident.
Meteorological Information
The recorded weather at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), approximately 12 nautical miles north of the accident site, at 0954 included: wind 270 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 24 degrees C; dew point 14 degrees C; and an altimeter setting of 29.93 inches of mercury.
Airport Information
According to the Airport Facility Directory (AFD), 26N was a public use airport with one runway oriented 06/24. The runway was asphalt in good condition, with a total length of 2,973 feet and width of 60 feet. Airport operational statistics indicated 55 aircraft operations per day, 60 percent of which were transient aircraft.
Examination of the airport and surrounding area by a United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) wildlife biologist revealed that approximately 30 Canada geese permanently inhabited the area surrounding the runway, an adjacent city-owned golf course, and an adjacent marsh. Review of the AFD and the airport’s automated weather advisory system (AWAS) by Safety Board investigators found no warning about birds on or near the airport. Additionally, no perimeter fencing existed between the marsh and the airport to keep wildlife off the property.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Post-accident examination revealed damage to the propeller, engine cowling, and composite structure of the airframe. The nose landing gear collapsed, the nose wheel assembly separated from the nose wheel landing gear, the right main landing gear and its wheel assembly were damaged, and the right main landing gear brake wheel backer plate was jammed against its wheel assembly, preventing wheel rotation.
Additional Information
According to Ocean City's manager of public transportation, the airport did not have a wildlife mitigation program at the time of the accident, but he was in the process of seeking funding for one. He stated that he believed in an artificial turf product called "Air FieldTurf" to eliminate food, water, and shelter for wildlife in airside areas. The airport had tested it in 2004 and wanted to install it. He had not reported the bird strike to the FAA.
The USDA compiles a Wildlife Strike Database of reported strikes. Strike reporting is voluntary. At the time of this report, over 108,000 wildlife strikes had been compiled from domestic and foreign airports. According to the database, 92 percent of bird strikes occurred at or below 3,000 feet above ground level, and there was an average of 20 reported wildlife strikes per day between 2004 and 2008.
The USDA-APHIS provided information on Canada geese, noting that nonmigrating populations have increased dramatically. They require fresh water and tender vegetation, making well-manicured areas such as airports attractive. Management techniques include discontinuing feeding, modifying landscaping, installing barriers, using scaring devices, utilizing dogs, preventing nesting, hunting, and relocation.
Following the accident, the City of Ocean City implemented corrective actions: a warning was added to the AFD stating "BIRDS ON AND INVOF ARPT"; a warning regarding birds and wildlife was added to the AWAS message; drainage was improved to reduce fresh water ponding; a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit was obtained to allow police officers to help control the Canada goose population; grass was maintained at a minimum height of 10 inches; a contract was put out for installation of Air FieldTurf along taxiways and runways; and the city worked with the FAA to install a 24-inch-high fence along the perimeter of the marsh on the west side of the airport.