# NTSB BFO94LA058: Piper PA-38-112, N2542L, New Castle, DE, April 3, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 1994, 19:15 local (Apr 3, 1994, 00:15 UTC) - Place: New Castle, DE - Coordinates: 39.659233, -75.569725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6592&lon=-75.5697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8903 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8903/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA058 ## Probable cause Inadequate clearance from obstacles, which resulted in birds strike. A factor was night conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - object - bird(s) (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS DOING A STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 14 AT WILMINGTON, DE, AT NIGHT WHEN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK BIRDS. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESCENDING THROUGH 1800 FEET MSL AND 7 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT WHEN THE BIRD STRIKE OCCURRED. THE PILOT REPORTED HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, YAW CONTROL PROBLEMS, AND A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER; HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER A MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THE BATTERY CASE, FIREWALL, AND WINGS WERE DAMAGED BY THE BIRD STRIKE. ALSO, THERE WAS DEBRIS IN THE ENGINE AIR INLET FROM THE BIRD STRIKE. ## Factual narrative On April 2, 1994, at 1915 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-38- 112, N2542L, collided with birds enroute to New Castle County Airport, Wilmington, Delaware. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured while the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was being operated under 14 CFR 91 and originated in Delaware. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. According to the pilot, it was a dark night and he was returning from a local flight. He stated that he was descending out of 2000 feet MSL for 1100 feet MSL, and upon reaching 1800 feet MSL he heard a loud bang. The pilot stated that he lost all electrical power and was unable to contact the tower. The airplane struck a flock of birds and some of the birds were ingested into the airplane's engine air inlet as well as in the cockpit. A landing was made without power due to loss of engine and electrical power. The pilot also stated that he did not have any aileron control during the landing. Examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed that there were bird strikes to the right side battery case, firewall, and both wings. According to the Airport Facilities Directory in the Airport Remarks, it states in part "birds on and in vicinity of airport." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2542L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2542L-2002-04-01), registration cancelled 2002-04-01, S/N 38-79A0756, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-79A0756 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dawn Aeronautics - Registered owner: Dawn Aeronautics - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 181 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ILG, 1 nm away ## 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 19940402000279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940402000279A), Apr 2, 1994: Piper PA38112, Wilmington, DE, Substantial damage. On night approach to arpt. Bird strike occured 7MILES from runway. Lost electrical power. Battery/firewall damaged. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.