Pilot Debrief

AVIONS FAIREY TIPSY NIPPER T-66 near Winters, CA — 2013-02-14

Final reportWPR13FA123
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Date
2013-02-14
Location
Winters, CA, USA
Aircraft
AVIONS FAIREY TIPSY NIPPER T-66
Registration
N1959N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The airplane's impact with a turkey vulture in cruise flight, which resulted in the structural failure of the right wing and the subsequent loss of control.

NTSB narrative

The airplane was in cruise flight about 2,000 feet above the ground when several witnesses reported hearing a loud "crack," "pop," or "snap" sound and then looking up and seeing something separate from the airplane and then pieces falling to the ground. The outboard 4 feet of the right wing was found about 2,000 feet away from the main wreckage, and a turkey vulture carcass was found near the wing section. Postaccident examinations of the wing section revealed blood spots and a downy barbule, which was identified as a fragment of a turkey vulture feather.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided flight path with known bird activity.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents17

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