Wednesday, January 06, 2016

Birdstrike: Piper PA-28-161, N2135BA; accident occurred December 30, 2015 at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (KFTW), Texas

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fort Worth, Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N2135B 

Location: Fort Worth, TX
Accident Number: GAA16CA095
Date & Time: 12/30/2015, 1230 CST
Registration: N2135B
Aircraft: PIPER PA 28-161
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

Analysis

The flight instructor reported that while in the left downwind, a bird impacted the right leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor further reported that he landed without further incident.

A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the stabilator.

The flight instructor reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
An inadvertent collision with a bird while on downwind in the airport pattern.

Findings

Environmental issues
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Effect on equipment (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach-VFR pattern downwind
Birdstrike (Defining event)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 22, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/12/2012
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/25/2015
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1500 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1400 hours (Total, this make and model), 1400 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 400 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 80 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 30, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:  
Instrument Rating(s):  None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/03/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 21 hours (Total, all aircraft), 21 hours (Total, this make and model), 0.4 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 21 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 21 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0.4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N2135B
Model/Series: PA 28-161
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 28-7916110
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/16/2015, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2325 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 7483.5 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-D3G
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFTW, 706 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1853 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 34°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 350°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.25 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 10°C / 4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Fort Worth, TX (FTW)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Fort Worth, TX (FTW)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1200 CST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: FORT WORTH MEACHAM INTL (FTW)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 710 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 16
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7502 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Touch and Go; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.814444, -97.364722 (est)

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