Cessna 402 accident near Mashpee, Massachusetts, November 18, 2022
On November 18, 2022 at about 3:05 pm local time, a 1980 Cessna 402, registered N2649Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Mashpee, Massachusetts. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The airplane’s impact with a bird while enroute.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 18, 2022 · about 3:05 pm local time
- Place
- Mashpee, Massachusetts · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 9 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 402 C, built 1980 · all 402s on the register
- Registration
- N2649Z · registry record · serial 402C0333
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The operator reported that while enroute, the airplane encountered a flock of seagulls. The First Officer called out “birds” and the Captain attempted to take evasive action but one of the birds impacted the leading edge of the right wing, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. Subsequently, the crew diverted to a nearby airport and landed safely. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,159 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 291 in the last 90 days; 92 in the last 30 days; 1,342 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 27, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,407 hours in all; 451 in this make and model; 165 in the last 90 days; 61 in the last 30 days; 886 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 29, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 27,986.7 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, November 9, 2022; 31.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,210 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental TSIO-520-VB (piston); 2,312 hours total
- Engine 4: Continental TSIO-520-VB (piston); 1,787 hours total
- Operator: Hyannis Air Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: KACK Nantucket MA at 2:53 pm
- Destination: KBOS Boston MA
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,600 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 7:56 pm from HYA, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KHYA 181956Z 24010KT 10SM FEW036 SCT050 06/M01 A2998 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 7 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on March 15, 2023. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Vp of Safety | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photographs | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N2649Z the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.