# NTSB ERA24LA249: Piper PA-28-161, N6232H, Vero Beach, FL, May 22, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 22, 2024, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.655555, -80.417954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6556&lon=-80.4180&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: 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): 194408
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194408/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194408
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA249

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird while on approach.

## 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-28-161, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102803), [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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102803), [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.

- [Landing: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor reported that, while in the airport traffic pattern and turning from the downwind leg to the base leg, a bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing, which resulted?in substantial damage. The pilot receiving instruction continued to fly the approach, and landed on the intended runway without further issue. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6232H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6232H), registered now, S/N 28-7816240 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816240
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 7590.2
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Paris Air Inc
- Registered owner: Paris Air Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 2024, 16 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: VRB, Vero Beach Regional Airport, runway 12R, 7,314 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 31; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 13, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 950 total, 700 in this make and model, 760 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 16, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 234 total, 10 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 1 nm away
- METAR: METAR KVRB 221353Z 11007KT 10SM FEW041 28/22 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP166

## 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 20240522006439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240522006439A), May 22, 2024: Piper PA-28-161, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. They were flying in the traffic pattern on runway 12R at Vero Beach Regional Airport. On the final lap in the pattern for the day, while turning from the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194408. 5.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17757492&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20(Signed)%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17756178&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20ERA24LA249-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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