From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.
What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
While entering Merrill approach pattern, PIC noted a bird approaching plane on collision course. Performed a steep level turn to right. Sound of impact to left wing was heard. Flight control function was affirmed and aircraft landed.
As the FAA filed it
WHILE ENTERING MERRILL APPROACH PATTERN, PIC NOTED A BIRD APPROACHING PLANE ON COLLISION COURSE. PERFORMED A STEEP LEVEL TURN TO RIGHT. SOUND OF IMPACT TO LEFT WING WAS HEARD. FLIGHT CONTROL FUNCTION WAS AFFIRMED AND AIRCRAFT LANDED.