Sunday, October 25, 2020

Birdstrike: Van's RV-10, N519RV; accident occurred December 30, 2019 near The Landings Airport (66TE), Granbury, Hood County, Texas





National Transportation Safety Board 
Aviation Accident Final Report

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N519RV

Location: GRANBURY, Texas 
Accident Number: CEN20CA048
Date & Time: December 30, 2019, 15:05 Local 
Registration: N519RV
Aircraft: Vans RV 10 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while in the traffic pattern and turning from base to final, a large bird impacted the leading edge of the right wing, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure and made the airplane difficult to control. The pilot was able to land safely on the intended runway. The pilot 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:
The airplane's impact with a bird while on approach.

Findings

Environmental issues Animal(s)/bird(s) - Effect on operation
Environmental issues Animal(s)/bird(s) - Ability to respond/compensate

History of Flight

Approach 
Birdstrike (Defining event)

Pilot Information
Certificate: Private 
Age: 53,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 4-point
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: December 1, 2017
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: July 21, 2018
Flight Time: 1647 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1556 hours (Total, this make and model), 1604 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 4.5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4.5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0.6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Vans 
Registration: N519RV
Model/Series: RV 10 No Series 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2006 
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 40250
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 1, 2019
Condition Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2900 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1236 Hrs 
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated 
Engine Model/Series: IO540
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 260 Horsepower
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KGDJ,778 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 21:55 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 298°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 18 knots 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Unknown
Wind Direction: 320° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: Unknown / Unknown
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg 
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / -5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Granbury, TX (66TE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: GRANBURY, TX 
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 14:30 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 32.365554,-97.644996(est)

1 comment:

  1. Holy crap that man was fortunate! Just look at the massive leading edge distortion which severely impaired the trailing edge airflow over the aileron. Wow. Wonder what kind of bird. That was goose or eagle or vulture sized to be sure. Biggest bird I ever hit was a blue jay and I never knew it even happened until tying the 172 down finding feathers on the right wing strut.

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