# NTSB ERA13CA240: Piper PA-44-180T, N8390K, Loxahatchee, FL, May 11, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 11, 2013, 12:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Loxahatchee, FL
- Coordinates: 26.80611, -80.443054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8061&lon=-80.4431&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86872
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86872/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86872
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA240

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird.

## 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 · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-44-180T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7104404), [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-44-180T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7104404), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, while at an altitude of 1,700 feet mean sea level, a large bird struck the right horizontal stabilizer, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot declared an emergency, diverted, and landed the airplane without further incident.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, while en route to the destination airport at an altitude of 1,700 feet, a large bird struck the right horizontal stabilizer resulting in substantial damage. The pilot declared an emergency, diverted, and landed the airplane without further incident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8390K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8390K), registered now, S/N 44-8107061, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180t) (registry code 7104404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TSIO-360SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tsio-360ser) (registry code 41561, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-8107061
- Airframe hours: 3933
- Engines: LYCOMING TO-360SER 180 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING LTO-360SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: 424 Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: 424 Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 25, 2013
- Departed: TMB, Miami, FL
- Destination: X58, Indiantown, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 16,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 6, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: BCT

## 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 20130511007389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130511007389A), May 11, 2013: Piper PA-44-180T, Pbi, FL, Substantial damage. Bird strike on RH stabilator, flight control malfunction flight diverted to Pbi and completed an emergency landing. Flight operated at noon time whereas…

## Other investigations on N8390K (1)

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.

- [NTSB WPR26LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA211), Jun 7, 2026: Piper PA-44-180T (N8390K), St. George, UT, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 23, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86872. 3.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392883&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1: Front view of Damaged Horizontal Stabilizer (Courtesy of Student) (item 2, .PDF, 464 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Front%20view%20of%20Damaged%20Horizontal%20Stabilizer%20(Courtesy%20of%20Student)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Side view of damaged horizontal stabilizer (Courtesy of Student Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 486 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392888&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Side%20view%20of%20damaged%20horizontal%20stabilizer%20(Courtesy%20of%20Student%20Pilot)-Master.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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