# NTSB ERA26LA142: Piper PA-28-181, N658FT, Chuluota, FL, March 6, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 6, 2026, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Chuluota, FL · About 10 nm southeast of SFB @ 1,000 ft. - Coordinates: 28.666982, -81.103705 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6670&lon=-81.1037&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 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): 202620 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202620/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202620 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA142 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a bird while enroute. ## 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-climb to 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 flight instructor reported that shortly after departure, while enroute at 1,000 ft mean sea level, she observed a large black bird on their flight path. The flight instructor took positive control of the airplane and attempted a right turn to evade the bird, but the bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing before she could complete the evasive maneuver. The flight instructor continued to fly the airplane, selected the right tank and requested a long landing. She delayed deploying the flaps until immediately over the runway where they landed safely. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the left wing had been substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N658FT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N658FT), registered now, S/N 28020183, built 2024 (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 IO-360-B4A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-b4a) (registry code 41867, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28020183 - Year built: 2024 - Airframe hours: 987 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Florida Institute Of Technology Inc - Registered owner: Florida Institute Of Technology Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SFB, Sanford, FL - Destination: MLB, Melbourne, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SFB, Orlando Sanford Intl - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 7, 2026; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,259 total, 141 in this make and model, 1,111 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 25, 2026; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 180 total, 49 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: SFB, 9 nm away - METAR: METAR KSFB 061353Z 12010KT 10SM CLR 24/21 A3025 RMK AO2 SLP243 T02390211= ## 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 20260306001869I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260306001869I), Mar 6, 2026: Piper PA-28-181, Melbourne, FL, Minor damage. On climb out a large black bird appeared like it was flying over and to left of aircraft. Attempted to lower nose and go to the right. Bird dive bombed left… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202620. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20252357&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Operators%206120%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - flight instructor (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20252853&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR_Instructor_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array_birdstrike damage (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 438 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20147719&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N658FT%20Damage%20Photographs-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.