# NTSB ANC12CA063: Piper PA-32-301, N8470Y, King Salmon, AK, June 28, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 27, 2012, 16:00 local (Jun 28, 2012, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 58.672779, -156.642501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.6728&lon=-156.6425&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84203/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84203
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA063

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird during cruise flight.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wing structure: ribs/bulkheads (on wing)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712/cases.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035712/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7103207), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while in level cruise flight, a bird struck the right wing tip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while in level cruise flight a bird struck the right wing tip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8470Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8470Y), registered now, S/N 32-8206012, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8206012
- Airframe hours: 14765
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Peninsula Airways Inc
- Registered owner: Peninsula Airways Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 26, 2012
- Departed: Egegik, AK
- Destination: PAKN, King Salmon, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 40,888 total, 30,000 in this make and model, 68 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observed at: PAKN

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20120627013449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120627013449A), Jun 27, 2012: Piper PA-32-301, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. While aircraft was enroute between eii and akn, right wing was struck by bird. Aircraft landed (akn) without incident.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84203. 788 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.

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