# NTSB ERA22LA238: MX MXS, N104MX, Bealeton, VA, May 22, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 22, 2022, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Bealeton, VA · Bird strike over airport
- Coordinates: 38.583, -77.7678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5830&lon=-77.7678&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): 105127
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105127/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105127
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA238

## 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: [MX MXS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05641FH), [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: [MX MXS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=05641FH), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was performing an aerobatic routine (about 500 ft above ground level) when a large bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing resulting in substantial damage to the spar. The pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and landed without incident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N104MX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N104MX), registered now, S/N 11, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MX AIRCRAFT LLC MXS
- Registry model: [MX MXS](https://openairdocs.org/model/mx-mxs) (registry code 05630G7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11
- Year built: 2011
- Airframe hours: 447
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540-EXP 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Air race/show, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 14, 2022
- Departed: HWY, Midland, VA
- Destination: HWY, Midland, VA
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 3, 2022; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 5,352 total, 445 in this make and model, 4,851 as pilot in command, 174 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWY, 5 nm away
- METAR: SA	22/05/2022 19:15->	
METAR KHWY 221915Z AUTO 19006KT 10SM SCT050 BKN070 BKN120 32/18 A3000

## 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 20220522008189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220522008189A), May 22, 2022: Mx Aircraft LLC MXS, Bealeton, VA, Substantial damage. Investigation. N104MX is an aerobatic airplane based at warrenton municipal airport (khwy). The airplane was being operated in the conduct of an aerobatic…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105127. 8.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 8.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13948767&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 246 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13948777&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-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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