# NTSB ERA23LA305: Piper PA-28, N271MG, Gray, GA, July 11, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 11, 2023, 13:39 local (17:39 UTC) - Place: Gray, GA - Coordinates: 33.00989, -83.534158 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0099&lon=-83.5342&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: 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): 192690 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192690/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192690 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA305 ## Probable cause An in-flight 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-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. - [Enroute-cruise: 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 about 12 miles from the airport of departure, while returning after a local flight, he observed a large bird on his right side. He attempted to avoid the bird but was unsuccessful and the bird impacted the leading edge of the right wing. The pilot returned to the airport of departure and landed safely. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing was substantially damaged. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N271MG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N271MG), registered now, S/N 2881453, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28 (181) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 2881453 - Year built: 2021 - Airframe hours: 1785 - 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, June 27, 2023, 46 hours before - Departed: MAC, Macon, GA - Airport: N/A, N/A - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 7, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 194 total, 91 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: MCN, 20 nm away - METAR: KMCN 111753Z VRB03KT 10SM FEW070 SCT085 33/21 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP158 T03280211 10328 20228 58006 ## 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 20230711018869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230711018869A), Jul 11, 2023: Piper PA-28-181, Gray, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off from kmac airport going north for 12 miles at 3000 feet. Pilot was performing practice maneuvers between 3200 and 2500 feet. After finishing… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192690. 3.5 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=15853675&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15853717&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Pilot%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� statement of damage (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15853822&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Damage%20per%20MX-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15853899&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ERA23LA305-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.