# NTSB ERA26LA038: Cessna 172, N708LU, Lynchburg, VA, November 10, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 10, 2025, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Lynchburg, VA · 5mi south of LYH
- Coordinates: 37.285663, -79.205792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2857&lon=-79.2058&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 2026
- 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): 201983
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201983/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA038

## 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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072439), [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: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor reported that during a training flight, while returning to the airport at 2,500 ft mean sea level, he observed a large bird directly in front of the airplane. The pilot receiving instruction, reported that he too had the bird in sight and initiated a left turn to avoid a head-on collision. The bird subsequently struck the right wing, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. Following the bird strike, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and landed uneventfully.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N708LU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N708LU), registered now, S/N 172S11474, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S11474
- Year built: 2014
- Airframe hours: 5806
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Liberty University
- Registered owner: Liberty University
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 2025
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: LYH, Lynchburg Rgnl/Preston Glenn Fld, runway 04, 7,100 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 23; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 13, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 854 total, 825 in this make and model, 751 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days
- Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review August 15, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 196 total, 192 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Turbulence: Light
- Observed at: KLYH, 5 nm away
- METAR: METAR KLYH 101854Z 28009G22KT 250V320 10SM CLR 07/M07 A2982

## 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 20251110017959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251110017959A), Nov 10, 2025: Cessna 172S, Lynchburg, VA, Substantial damage. During an instructional flight the aircraft struck a bird on the leading edge of the right wing while in cruise flight. The PIC delcared an emergency and…

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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