# NTSB ERA22LA178: Extra 300, N808YF, Rome, GA, March 29, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 29, 2022, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Rome, GA
- Coordinates: 34.350778, -85.158667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3508&lon=-85.1587&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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): 104890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104890/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104890
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA178

## Probable cause

An inflight collision with a bird while conducting low level aerobatics.

## 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: [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.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing aerobatics (about 400- 600 ft above ground level) when a “large” bird impacted the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer, which resulted in substantial damage. The airplane rolled and yawed slightly after the impact, but the pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and land immediately without incident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N808YF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Extra 300 (LC)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LC044
- Year built: 2015
- Airframe hours: 743.5
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A 315 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2022, 8 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: RMG
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 4, 2021; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 5,800 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observed at: KRMG
- METAR: METAR KRMG 291453Z AUTO 14003KT 9SM FEW080 14/00 A3019

## 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 20220329004779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220329004779A), Mar 29, 2022: Extra EXTRA-EA 300/LC, Rome, GA, Substantial damage. At approximately 10:45(l), on 03/29/2022, Extra 300 N808YF struck a large bird at approximately 400' - 600' AGL while practicing for airshow at Richard b.…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 31, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104890. 4.6 MB in all.

- Written statement - pilot (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13609297&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-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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