Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near Lynchburg, VA — 2025-11-10

Final reportERA26LA038
Sign in to save
Date
2025-11-10
Location
Lynchburg, VA, USA
Airport
LYH
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N708LU
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that during a training flight, while returning to the airport at 2,500 ft mean sea level, he observed a large bird directly in front of the airplane. The pilot receiving instruction, reported that he too had the bird in sight and initiated a left turn to avoid a head-on collision. The bird subsequently struck the right wing, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. Following the bird strike, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and landed uneventfully.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

Related mishaps