Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA28R near Fellsmere, FL — 2026-04-01

Final reportERA26LA161
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Date
2026-04-01
Location
Fellsmere, FL, USA
Airport
VRB
Aircraft
PIPER PA28R
Registration
N8583N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird while descending to land at an airport.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that while returning to the airport from a lesson, both he and the student saw a medium-sized bird at their 12 o’clock position. The airplane was descending through 1,400 feet mean sea level when the bird dove into their flight path, impacting the left wing’s leading edge. The student continued to the airport as the pilot flying and landed without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the left wing had been substantially damaged.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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