Cessna 525 accident near Orlando, Florida, July 12, 2019
On July 12, 2019 at about 6:55 pm local time, a 1998 Cessna 525, registered N262BK, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Orlando, Florida (Executive airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 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 during approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 2019 · about 6:55 pm local time
- Place
- Orlando, Florida · Executive · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 525 Undesignat, built 1998 · all 525s on the register
- Registration
- N262BK · registry record · serial 525-0262
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while being vectored for an instrument landing system approach on an instrument flight plan, he flew through some clouds, and the airplane encountered multiple birds. One bird struck the left wing, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Ability to respond/compensate
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 17,535 hours in all; 4,375 in this make and model; 72 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 17,230 as pilot in command; 7,400 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 24, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,811.9 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, June 26, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 10,400 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Williams FJ44IA (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Williams FJ44IA (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Omicron Business Services Inc
The flight
- Departed from: AVL Asheville NC at 5:20 pm
- Destination: ORL Orlando FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 25, 6,004 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 11 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,200 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KORL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on October 18, 2019. 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, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photos | PDF, 2 pages | 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.