Birdstrike: Beech V35 Bonanza, N9422S; accident occurred August 23, 2019 near Buckingham Field Airport (FL59), Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida

View of damage to forward fuselage. 

Federal Aviation Administration

View of bird feathers in the engine compartment.
Federal Aviation Administration

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;  Tampa, Florida 

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N9422S

Location: Fort Myers, FL
Accident Number:GAA19CA557 
Date & Time: 08/23/2019, 1330 EDT
Registration: N9422S
Aircraft: Beech 35
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot reported that, during the downwind leg of an approach, about 1,000 ft above the ground, a bird struck the airplane's propeller and cowling. The pilot was able to maneuver and land the airplane without further incident.

A post-accident examination revealed bird feathers in engine compartment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and forward fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:No 
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam:08/13/2017 
Occupational Pilot:No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/31/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 3560 hours (Total, all aircraft), 650 hours (Total, this make and model), 3560 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 52 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:Beech 
Registration: N9422S
Model/Series: 35 V35
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1965
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number:D-8020 
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats:4 
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/15/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO550B
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: hp
Operator:On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRSW, 31 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1753 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 200°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 150°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Valkaria, FL (X59)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Fort Myers, FL (FL59)
Type of Clearance: VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1240 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Buckingham Field (FL59)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 23 ft
Runway Surface Condition:Dry 
Runway Used: 14
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4046 ft / 400 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 26.643333, -81.710278 (est)