# NTSB CHI08CA095: Piper PA-34-200T, N767PD, North Canton, OH, March 25, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 25, 2008, 10:49 local (14:49 UTC)
- Place: North Canton, OH
- Coordinates: 40.926387, -81.447776
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9264&lon=-81.4478&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67868
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67868/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA095

## Probable cause

The bird strike during approach for landing.

## 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 · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)
- [Wing structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The airplane received substantial damage on impact with a bird identified as a Common Loon (Gavia immer) during approach to runway 23. The pilot reported that the right wing of the airplane struck the bird during the downwind leg of the approach at 1,700 feet mean sea level and 120 knots. The right wing was crushed inward and wrinkled at the impact location. The airplane landed without further incident. The average weight of the Common Loon is 132 ounces.

## Factual narrative

The airplane received substantial damage on impact with a bird identified as a Common Loon (Gavia immer) during approach to runway 23. The pilot reported that the right wing of the airplane struck the bird during the downwind leg of the approach at 1,700 feet mean sea level and 120 knots. The right wing was crushed inward and wrinkled at the impact location. The airplane landed without further incident. The average weight of the Common Loon is 132 ounces.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N767PD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-200T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7770426
- Engines: Continental TSIO-360-G reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pilot
- Registered owner: Louis Darah Co
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TOL, TOLEDO, OH
- Destination: CAK, North Canton, OH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,650 total, 228 in this make and model
- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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