Cessna 402 accident near Charlotte Amalie, CB, June 4, 2023
On June 4, 2023 at about 6:50 pm local time, a 1981 Cessna 402, registered N7037E, suffered minor damage in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Charlotte Amalie, CB (Cyril E King Airport). It was a business flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 4 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight collision with a bird while entering the traffic pattern.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 2023 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Charlotte Amalie, CB · Cyril E King Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 4 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 402 C, built 1981 · all 402s on the register
- Registration
- N7037E · registry record · serial 402C0471
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Business flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The operator reported that while entering the traffic pattern for landing, the pilot saw a large bird and attempted to take evasive action, but the airplane and the bird collided. The bird entered the cabin through the right windscreen and struck two passengers. One passenger sustained serious injuries while the other passenger incurred minor injuries. The pilot declared an emergency and subsequently landed the airplane uneventfully. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of 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 approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,129 hours in all; 266 in this make and model; 170 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 1,682 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 5, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 38,473.2 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, May 17, 2023; 51 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,210 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental Motor TSIO520VB (piston); 346 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental Motor TSIO520VB (piston); 1,815 hours total
- Operator: Hyannis Air Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: TUPJ Roadtown OF at 6:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 7,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,100 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from TIST, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): TISX 041853Z 14010KT 10SM FEW021 SCT035 31/26 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP128 T03110256
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on July 7, 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 | Photographs | PDF, 3 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 N7037E 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.