Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Location: Wedgefield, FL
Accident Number: GAA20CA038
Date & Time: 10/20/2019, 1346 EDT
Registration: N637FT
Aircraft: Piper PA28
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The flight instructor reported that, while en route on an instrument flight plan, about 4000 ft, the airplane entered a cloud where a flock of large black birds were circling. A bird impacted the stabilator, and he then disengaged the autopilot and checked the flight controls for any adverse effects; he did not see any. The instructor then chose to return to the departure airport and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the stabilator. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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:
An in-flight collision with a bird.
Findings
Environmental issues
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Effect on operation (Cause)
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Ability to respond/compensate (Cause)
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute
Birdstrike (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 18, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
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 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/19/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/15/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 130 hours (Total, all aircraft), 56 hours (Total, this make and model), 76 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 18 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Flight Instructor Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 21, 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 Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/13/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/18/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 820 hours (Total, all aircraft), 700 hours (Total, this make and model), 715 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 170 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 61 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N637FT
Model/Series: PA28 161
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 2842314
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/08/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2447 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 7616.2 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-D3G
Registered Owner: F I T Aviation Llc
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: F I T Aviation Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMLB, 27 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1753 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 148°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 13 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 220°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.91 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Melbourne, FL (MLB)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Leesburg, FL (LEE)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1332 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class B
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: 28.102778, -80.645278 (est)
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