# Accident 20191020021939A: Piper PA-28-161, Melbourne, FL, October 20, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 20, 2019, 13:53 local time
- Place: Melbourne, FL
- Airport: Melbourne International
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Pilot school (Part 141)
- Operator: ECQS
- Location: 28.1028° N, 80.6453° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1028&lon=-80.6453&mi=10
- Aircraft: N637FT, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N637FT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-161 (registry code 7102803, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (registry code 42156, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-d3g) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-320-D3G
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 470 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA20CA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA038) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191020021939A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED MELBOURNE AIRPORT(MLB) FOR AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AND EXPERIENCE A BIRD STRIKE AT 4000 FEET APPROX. 15 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT MLB.  THE BIRD STRUCK THE LEADING EDGE OF THE LEFT STABILIZER CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE RESULTING IN DENTED/ PUNCTURES LEADING EDGE SKIN AND SEVERAL PULLED RIVETS. THE AIRCRAFT LANDING SAFELY AT MLB WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGE OR BODILY INJURY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA20CA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA038), Oct 20, 2019: Piper PA28 (N637FT), Wedgefield, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight collision with a bird.

## Other reports on N637FT (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20130904016189I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130904016189I), Sep 4, 2013: Piper PA-28-161 (N637FT), Melbourne, FL, No damage. On September 4, 2013, at or about 07:48 EDT, N637FT, an fit aviation, LLC, Piper warrior iii, experienced a loss of engine power at an estimated altitude of 50…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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