Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near Newport News, VA — 2023-12-11

Final reportERA24LA065
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Date
2023-12-11
Location
Newport News, VA, USA
Airport
PHF
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N733QJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

An inflight collision with a bird during initial climb.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and the pilot-rated student were in the flying in the airport traffic pattern practicing takeoffs and landings. During the initial climb following a touch-and-go landing, with the student at the controls, a large bird flew directly in front of the airplane. The student attempted to avoid it; however, the bird struck the leading edge of the left wing. The flight instructor took over the controls and landed the airplane uneventfully. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and found that the wing had been substantially damaged as a result of the birdstrike.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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