Cessna 550 accident near Port Aransas, Texas, December 5, 2016
On December 5, 2016 at about 5:23 pm local time, a 1980 Cessna 550, registered N75WL, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Port Aransas, Texas (Corpus Christi Intl airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight collision with multiple birds, which resulted in separation of the right engine's fan rotor and subsequent total loss of power of the right engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 5, 2016 · about 5:23 pm local time
- Place
- Port Aransas, Texas · Corpus Christi Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 550 CITATION I, built 1980 · all 550s on the register
- Registration
- N75WL · no longer on the register · serial 550-0175
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The turbofan-powered airplane struck birds after takeoff, resulting in a total loss of power on the right engine. The commercial pilot diverted to another airport, where he landed the airplane uneventfully. Examination of the airplane revealed several locations with bird remains, including within the right engine's fan duct. Examination of the right engine showed that the fan and booster stages were missing from the engine; they were found as a unit near the departure airport. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing from the fan and booster stages. DNA analysis of the bird remains indicated that they were from redhead ducks, which can weigh between 1.38 and 3.31 lbs each. Damage on two fan blades that were approximately opposite each other indicated that at least two birds struck the fan. Examination of the engine components revealed that all damage was consistent with overload failures resulting from the bird strikes. The engine was certified to withstand the impact of a single 4-lb bird; thus, the ingestion of multiple ducks likely exceeded the engine certification requirements. However, the subsequent engine failure was contained because the fan case and inlet were not penetrated, as designed.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (climb to cruise)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: P&W Canada JT15D-4 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: P&W Canada JT15D-4 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: D C Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: RAS Port Aransas TX at 5:23 pm
- Destination: FTW Fort Worth TX
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,200 ft; clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from RAS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on August 2, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Powerplants Factual Report | PDF, 34 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Powerplants Attachment 1 Pwc Materials Laboratory Report | PDF, 18 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Powerplants Attachment 2 Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Feather Identification Laboratory Letter | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.