# NTSB ERA22LA403: Piper PA28R, N78QB, Toughkenamon, PA, September 2, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 2, 2022, 10:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: Toughkenamon, PA
- Coordinates: 39.829988, -75.771007 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8300&lon=-75.7710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: 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): 105888
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA403
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105888/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105888
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA403

## Probable cause

The airplane’s impact with a bird while entering 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-28R-201, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102816), [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-28R-201, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102816), [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: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while entering the traffic pattern after a local flight, a large bird “dived” and struck the middle of the right wing, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing structure. He stated that there was no control difficulty and he was able to land safely on the intended runway. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78QB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78QB), registered now, S/N 28R-7837308, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R (201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7837308
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 2635.5
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 2022
- Departed: N57, Toughkenamon, PA
- Airport: N57, New Garden, runway 6, 3,695 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 345 total, 155 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 12 nm away
- METAR: METAR KILG 021351Z 07009KT 10SM CLR 23/13 A3025 RMK AO2 SLP242 T02330133=

## 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 20220902015479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220902015479A), Sep 2, 2022: Piper PA-28R-201, Toughkenamon, PA, Substantial damage. Three nautical miles west of N57, while on approach to runway 06, at an altitude of 1500 feet, a large bird struck the upper surface of the aircraft’s right…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105888. 6.2 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=14496835&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA403_6120%20(1)_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14496076&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=02%20Pilot%20Statement%20ERA22LA403_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14496845&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=03%20Photo%20Array-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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