Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-23-250 near Joliet, IL — 2015-08-27

Final reportCEN15IA385
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Date
2015-08-27
Location
Joliet, IL, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-23-250
Registration
N900AM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A bird strike.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 2,500 ft above mean sea level (1,920 ft above ground level) when he heard a "bang" and felt a jolt in the flight controls. He noted no abnormal flight characteristics, so he continued the flight and landed without incident. After landing, minor damage to the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer was observed. Microscopic examination of the damaged area revealed several feather barbs consistent with remnants from the Columbidae bird family, which includes doves and pigeons.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Environmental

NTSB coding

  • Birdstrike · Enroute-cruise

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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