Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-161 near Princeton, MN — 2013-09-13

Final reportCEN13CA550
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Date
2013-09-13
Location
Princeton, MN, USA
Airport
PNM
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-161
Registration
N526PU
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bald eagle.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was flying S-turns over a road at 1,000 feet above ground level when a bald eagle struck the right horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor took the controls, declared an emergency, and proceeded to land at the nearest airport. The control yoke was “buffeting,” but the engine continued to run smoothly. On final approach, the flight instructor noticed that the rudder controls were impaired; however, the wind was calm so the landing was without incident. The examination of the airplane revealed that there was a large indentation on the right horizontal stabilizer with bird feathers embedded in it. The right side of the horizontal stabilizer was canted. In addition, the tail cone had been pushed upward and was in contact with the rudder, impeding its movement.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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