Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-181 near Clearwater, FL — 2024-07-06

Final reportERA24LA295
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Date
2024-07-06
Location
Clearwater, FL, USA
Airport
PIE
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-181
Registration
N471A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird while flying in the airport traffic pattern.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that after completing multiple uneventful touch-and-go landings they were on the downwind leg in the traffic pattern. While flying at an airspeed of about 90 kts and at 1,000 ft agl, he spotted a bird directly in front of the airplane. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and abruptly pushed the control stick to try and avoid the bird. The student pilot described seeing the bird also enter a dive before it struck the top of the windshield, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage above the windshield. The flight instructor declared an emergency and landed without further issue. Both pilots reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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