# NTSB ERA25LA360: Piper PA-28-161, N5914V, Linden, NJ, September 20, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 20, 2025, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Linden, NJ - Coordinates: 40.617487, -74.244371 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6175&lon=-74.2444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2025 - 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): 201061 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA360 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201061/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201061 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA360 ## 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 · 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-flare/touchdown: 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, during the landing flare, a large bird impacted the leading edge of the right wing, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure. The student pilot was able to land safely on the intended runway. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5914V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5914V), registered now, S/N 28-7716214, built 1977 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7716214 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3281.8 - Engines: Lycoming Engines O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Luvsflying Flight Training LLC - Registered owner: Luvsflying Flight Training LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: LDJ, Linden, runway 09, 4,140 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 20, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,130 total, 61 in this make and model, 775 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 32.7 in the last 30 days, 1.8 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 32; injuries: none; student; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 14.5 total, 14.5 in this make and model, 14.5 in the last 90 days, 7.8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 150° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: LDJ - METAR: METAR KLDJ 210115Z AUTO 15003KT 10SM CLR 19/12 A3029 RMK AO2 T01870123 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20250920018789I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250920018789I), Sep 20, 2025: Piper PA-28-161, Linden, NJ, Minor damage. The pilot in command, a certified flight instructor, was providing instruction to a student pilot. During the final landing on runway 09, just prior to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201061. 4.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 15 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19375948&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 738 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19364559&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%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. --- 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.