Birdstrike: Bellanca 7ECA, N8646V, accident occurred June 06, 2018 near Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA), Alaska

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska

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/N8646V

Location: Fairbanks, AK
Accident Number: GAA18CA357
Date & Time: 06/06/2018, 0515 AKD
Registration: N8646V
Aircraft: BELLANCA 7ECA
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

According to the pilot, a bird struck the airplane's windscreen when he was practicing a steep turn. The airplane remained controllable, and he returned to the airport and landed without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windscreen, windows, and skylight.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector revealed that the skylight had been installed incorrectly.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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:
The airplane's collision with a bird while maneuvering. 

Findings

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

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering
Birdstrike (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Military
Age: 29, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane; Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/21/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/30/2018
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 1546.3 hours (Total, all aircraft), 5 hours (Total, this make and model), 1020 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 70 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 28 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BELLANCA
Registration: N8646V
Model/Series: 7ECA NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1975
Amateur Built: No 
Airworthiness Certificate: Aerobatic; Normal
Serial Number:1089-75 
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/11/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2780.17 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-235-C1
Registered Owner: TRAINOR, THOMAS P.
Rated Power: 110 hp
Operator: ProFlite of Alaska, LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAFA
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 1353 UTC
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 8000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 360°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.57 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Fairbanks, AK (PAFA)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Fairbanks, AK (PAFA)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0500 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class E

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
Passenger Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion:None 
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  64.650000, -147.610000 (est)