Cessna 525A accident near Lincoln, Nebraska, October 12, 2013
On October 12, 2013 at about 9:40 pm local time, a 2010 Cessna 525A, registered N368PK, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Lincoln, Nebraska (Lincoln airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The airplane’s encounter with a flock of American White Pelicans, which resulted in one bird striking the right outboard wing during en route climb from the departure airport.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 12, 2013 · about 9:40 pm local time
- Place
- Lincoln, Nebraska · Lincoln · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 525A, built 2010 · all 525As on the register
- Registration
- N368PK · no longer on the register · serial 525A0448
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
When the airplane reached an initial altitude of 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the departure air traffic controller issued a clearance to 10,000 feet msl and a right turn to about 060 degrees. The flight crew made the right turn and began to climb to 10,000 feet msl. During the climb and after passing about 6,400 feet msl at 200 knots indicated airspeed, the flight crew noted a flock of birds. One of the birds struck the right outboard wing, which resulted in wing spar damage. The airplane returned to the departure airport where it landed without further incident. The airport had a standing notice for bird activity on or in the vicinity of the airport. Further, a medium avian hazard risk existed at the time of the accident for the departure airport area. Although over 90 percent of reported bird strikes occur at or below 3,000 feet above ground level, strikes at higher altitudes are common during migration season. The bird remains were identified as an American White Pelican.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Birdstrike during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,500 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 3,500 as pilot in command; 1,200 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 31, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,800 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 140 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 2,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 20, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 289.7 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, June 30, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 10,000 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Williams FJ44-3A-24 (turbofan); 290 hours total
- Engine 2: Williams FJ44-3A-24 (turbofan); 290 hours total
- Operator: Executive Flight Services, Inc
The flight
- Departed from: LNK Lincoln NE at 9:36 pm
- Destination: MKC Kansas City MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 36, 12,901 ft by 200 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 8:54 pm from LNK, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.