ANC96LA144

The pilot was flying the airplane at 2,500 feet above sea level. He had seen flocks of geese flying in the area 2 to 3 days earlier; however, he had not seen any that day. While in cruise flight, he heard a thud, and noted that a goose feather came out of the fresh air vent. The pilot then looked out of his windshield and saw damage to the wing of the airplane, where impact with a bird (goose) had occurred. He landed without further incident.

On September 3, 1996, at 0830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N7396U, registered to and operated by Cape Smythe Air Service, Inc., of Barrow, Alaska, experienced a bird strike during cruise flight. The positioning flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Point Hope, Alaska, and the destination was Kotzebue, Alaska. A company flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing outboard of the wing strut attach points.

The bird strike occurred during straight and level cruise flight at approximately 2,500 feet above mean sea level. The pilot heard a thud, and then a goose feather came out of the fresh air vent. He stated that he had seen flocks of geese flying in the area the previous 2 to 3 days. He did not see any that day.

According to the initial interview, right after the bird strike occurred, the pilot stated it happened on September 3, 1996 at 0830 adt. When he submitted the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the date and time of the occurrence was different. The September 3, 1996, 0830 adt time is correct.