Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-181 near Chuluota, FL — 2026-03-06

Final reportERA26LA142
Sign in to save
Date
2026-03-06
Location
Chuluota, FL, USA
Airport
SFB
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-181
Registration
N658FT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird while enroute.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that shortly after departure, while enroute at 1,000 ft mean sea level, she observed a large black bird on their flight path. The flight instructor took positive control of the airplane and attempted a right turn to evade the bird, but the bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing before she could complete the evasive maneuver. The flight instructor continued to fly the airplane, selected the right tank and requested a long landing. She delayed deploying the flaps until immediately over the runway where they landed safely. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the left wing had been substantially damaged.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

Related mishaps