Birdstrike: Beech D95A Travel Air, N998DM; accident occurred June 29, 2019 near Navasota Municipal Airport (60R), Texas

View of damage to the windscreen.

Federal Aviation Administration

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

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/N998DM

Location: Navasota, TX
Accident Number: GAA19CA400
Date & Time: 06/29/2019, 1745 UTC
Registration: N998DM
Aircraft: Beech 95
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

The flight instructor reported that, about three minutes after they had leveled off, "a black vulture" struck the windscreen. The airplane returned to the airport and landed.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windscreen.

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

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 25, 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 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/24/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/22/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 413.7 hours (Total, all aircraft), 57.4 hours (Total, this make and model), 310 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 171.5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 74.7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6.2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Private
Age: 34, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/12/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/01/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 342.9 hours (Total, all aircraft), 6.9 hours (Total, this make and model), 294.4 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 7.8 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N998DM
Model/Series:95 D95A 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1967
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: TD-697
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/06/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4984 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-B1B
Registered Owner: D & S Aviation Llc
Rated Power:180 hp 
Operator: D & S Aviation Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)
Operator Does Business As: United Flight System
Operator Designator Code: 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: K11R, 308 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1815 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 236°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Navasota, TX (60R)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Spring, TX (DHW)
Type of Clearance: Traffic Advisory
Departure Time: 1240 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 30.388056, -96.087778 (est)