# NTSB ERA23LA303: Piper PA-28R-201, N285MG, Macon, GA, June 24, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 24, 2023, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Macon, GA
- Coordinates: 32.821764, -83.561935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8218&lon=-83.5619&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 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): 192663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192663/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192663
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA303

## Probable cause

An inflight 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-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-VFR pattern crosswind: 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

According to the pilot receiving instruction, he had initiated the upwind-to-crosswind turn in the airport traffic pattern. With the left wing raised in the right turn, a bird came into the pilot’s view and struck the left wing before the pilot could initiate an evasive maneuver. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane, completed the traffic pattern and the landing without injury to the occupants or damage beyond that resulting from the bird strike. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing was substantially damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N285MG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N285MG), registered now, S/N 2844167, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102833) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-C1C6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-c1c6) (registry code 41833, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2844167
- Year built: 2017
- Airframe hours: 2513.9
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 200 hp 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, June 7, 2023
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: MAC, Macon Downtown, runway 28, 4,694 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 21, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 757 total, 201 in this make and model, 686 as pilot in command, 188 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 274 total, 50 in this make and model, 211 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 9 nm away
- METAR: KMCN 241953Z 28008KT 10SM FEW060 SCT085 32/18 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP142 T03170183

## 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 20230624010919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230624010919A), Jun 24, 2023: Piper PA-28R-201, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. On June 26, 2023 a Piper PA-28R-201 piloted by a student and certificated flight instructor were involved in a birstrike on climb out to the left wing leading…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192663. 2.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15946046&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Docket photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 378 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15945916&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%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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