Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA44 near Pembroke Pines, FL — 2025-12-21

Final reportERA26LA082
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Date
2025-12-21
Location
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
Airport
HWO
Aircraft
PIPER PA44
Registration
N156WM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird while on approach to the destination airport.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and the flight instructor were approaching the destination airport for landing when they noticed a large flock of birds. The flight instructor reported that, while maneuvering to avoid the birds, one of the birds struck the left side of the airplane’s stabilator, substantially damaging it. The pilots subsequently landed the airplane at the destination airport.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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