# Accident 20230816011979A: Beech S35, Spring, TX, August 16, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 16, 2023, 10:34 local time
- Place: Spring, TX
- Airport: David Wayne Hooks Memorial
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.0618° N, 95.5528° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0618&lon=-95.5528&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5874J, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5874J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech S35 (registry code 1151532, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-s35) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH S35
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 697 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA379) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230816011979A

## Narrative

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

ON 8/16/2023 AT 1034 CDT, A BEECH S35, S/N D-7866, WAS CONDUCTING A TRAINING FLIGHT WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A BIRD, SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED AS A 14 CFR PART 91 FLIGHT, WHICH ORIGINATED AND TERMINATED AT DAVID WAYNE HOOKS AIRPORT (KDWH). THE COMMERCIAL RATED PILOT GAVE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT: WE “WERE COMPLETING SOME HIGH PERFORMANCE AND COMPLEX TRAINING AND FINISHING WITH SOME PATTERN WORK. ON THE DEPARTURE LEG @ KDWH OF 35L AT ABOUT 600’ MSL/450’ AGL WE HIT WHAT WE SUSPECT TO BE A VULTURE ON THE RIGHT WING ABOUT 2 FEET INBOARD OF THE WING TIP. WE EXPERIENCED SLIGHT YAW TO THE RIGHT, INFORMED TOWER OF THE SITUATION AND REQUESTED A PRECAUTIONARY EXPEDITED LANDING. WE ADDED 10 KTS OF AIRSPEED ON APPROACH AND LANDING, AFTER CLEARING THE ACTIVE, WE COPIED DOWN A NUMBER FROM TOWER, AND TAXIED BACK TO THE RAMP WITHOUT DIFFICULTY”. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE HAS FILED AN ON-LINE BIRD STRIKE REPORT.

THE OUTBOARD 3-4 FEET OF THE RIGHT-HAND WING SHOWED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE LEADING-EDGE SKIN, WITH THE DAMAGE EXTENDING BACK TO THE WING SPAR. SEVERAL WING LEADING EDGE RIBS WERE DAMAGED, AS WELL AS THE WING UPPER SKIN JUST AFT OF THE SPAR, WHICH MAY INDICATE POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE WING SPAR.

THE AIRCRAFT RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE LAST AIRFRAME ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED AT AIRFRAME TOTAL TIME: 6553.8, ON JULY 3, 2023. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRCRAFT HAD ACCUMULATED APPROXIMATELY 39.0 HOURS SINCE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION.

WHEN THE NTSB REPORT AND ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECOME AVAILABLE, THIS REPORT WILL BE AMENDED AS NECESSARY.

## 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 CEN23LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA379), Aug 16, 2023: Beech S35 (N5874J), Houston, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight collision with a bird.

## Other reports on N5874J (1)

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

- [Incident 20120802017169I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120802017169I), Aug 2, 2012: Beech S35 (N5874J), Galveston, TX, Minor damage. Aircraft landed gear up with damage to underside, flaps, gear doors and propellor. Pictures taken at scene shortly after incident showed gear selector in down…

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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