# NTSB ERA22LA073: Piper PA-28-181, N263MG, Wheeler Heights, GA, October 11, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 11, 2021, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Wheeler Heights, GA
- Coordinates: 32.821879, -83.558874 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8219&lon=-83.5589&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 104311
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104311/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104311
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA073

## Probable cause

The airplane’s impact with a bird while in the traffic pattern.

## 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-28-181, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102807), [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-28-181, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102807), [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.

- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, a bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure. The airplane was controllable and the pilot was able to land safely on the intended runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N263MG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N263MG), registered now, S/N 2881361, built 2020 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102832) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A4M](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a4m) (registry code 42276, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2881361
- Year built: 2020
- Airframe hours: 767
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Middle Georgia State University
- Registered owner: Georgia Aviation Authority
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 21, 2021
- Airport: MAC, Macon Downtown, runway 10/28, 4,694 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 24, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 205 total, 130 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 9 nm away
- METAR: KMCN 111553Z 06006KT 10SM CLR 24/19 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP163 T02440189


## 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 20211011022319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211011022319A), Oct 11, 2021: Piper Aircraft Inc PA-28-181, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot was on a solo training flight at kmac and doing pattern work when she encountered a bird strike on left downwind to runway 10. The bird struck the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 21, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104311. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12988811&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA073_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 240 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12988870&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA073-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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