# NTSB CEN23LA384: Piper PA-44-180, N767PA, West Lafayette, IN, August 26, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 26, 2023, 13:42 local (17:42 UTC)
- Place: West Lafayette, IN
- Coordinates: 40.412257, -86.936189 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4123&lon=-86.9362&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA384
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192952/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192952
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA384

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird during initial climb.

## Findings

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

- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/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-44-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7104402), [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.

- [Initial climb: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7104402), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor reported that during the initial climb, about 600 ft above ground level, his student observed a bird under the nose of the airplane. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and maneuvered the airplane in an attempt to avoid the bird. The bird went over the top of the airplane and struck the vertical stabilizer, which resulted in substantial damage. The flight instructor landed the airplane without further incident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N767PA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N767PA), registered now, S/N 4496114, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4496114
- Year built: 2002
- Airframe hours: 7442.1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Purdue Aviation LLC
- Registered owner: Purdue Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 22, 2023
- Departed: LAF, Lafayette, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LAF, Purdue University
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 818 total, 62 in this make and model, 767 as pilot in command, 242 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 283 total, 12 in this make and model, 271 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: KLAF
- METAR: KLAF 261754Z 01009KT 10SM OVC018 27/21 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP143 T02670211 10272 20217 58004=


## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Incident 20230826012139I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230826012139I), Aug 26, 2023: Piper PA-44-180, West Lafayette, IN, Minor damage. A Piper PA-44-180 twin engine land, fixed wing aircraft, departed rwy 5 at 13:40 local time and reported a birdstrike at 13:43 local time, returning to laf…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 22, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192952. 2.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16625350&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_N767PA_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1 photo, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16602274&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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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