Pilot Debrief

BEECH C-99 near Show Low, AZ — 2009-11-04

Final reportWPR10IA045
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Date
2009-11-04
Location
Show Low, AZ, USA
Airport
SOW
Aircraft
BEECH C-99
Registration
N330AV
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird during initial descent.

NTSB narrative

Shortly after the pilot began the descent to land, about 11,000 feet mean sea level, a bird struck the upper portion of the left pilot’s side windshield, resulting in minor damage to the airplane. The bird made an approximately 11-inch by 8-inch hole, sending bird and glass fragments into the cockpit area. The glass remaining in the windshield was shattered and almost opaque. The pilot continued the descent and landed the airplane uneventfully. Remains from the bird were sent to the Smithsonian Institute and identified as Western Grebe; the average weight of this species is 3.3 pounds.

NTSB coding

  • Birdstrike · Enroute-descent

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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