PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA-28R-201 near Macon, GA — 2023-06-24

Probable cause

An inflight collision with a bird.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot receiving instruction, he had initiated the upwind-to-crosswind turn in the airport traffic pattern. With the left wing raised in the right turn, a bird came into the pilot’s view and struck the left wing before the pilot could initiate an evasive maneuver. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane, completed the traffic pattern and the landing without injury to the occupants or damage beyond that resulting from the bird strike. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing was substantially damaged.

NTSB coding

• Birdstrike · Approach-VFR pattern crosswind

Evidence available

• Photos
• 2 docket documents

Docket documents2

• PILOT/OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT, NTSB FORM 6120.1form
• DOCKET PHOTO ARRAYphotos

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