# NTSB ERA26LA155: Piper PA-28-180, N2333R, Greenville, SC, March 29, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 29, 2026, 11:29 local (15:29 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.848267, -82.348051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8483&lon=-82.3481&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 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): 202737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA155

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird during cruise flight.

## 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-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at an altitude of about 1,800 ft, he heard a loud bang. After determining that the airplane was still flying normally, he looked at the right wing and saw damage to the outboard leading edge. He turned the airplane around, returned to the departure airport, and landed safely. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the right wing had been substantially damaged consistent with a bird strike.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2333R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2333R), registered now, S/N 28-5491, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5491
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 3182
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2026, 4 hours before
- Departed: GMU, Greenville, SC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 17, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 619 total, 503 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.61 inHg
- Observed at: KGYH, 6 nm away
- METAR: METAR KGYH 291447Z 06010KT 10SM CLR 11/M07 A3061

## 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 20260329002639I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260329002639I), Mar 29, 2026: Piper PA-28-180, Taylors, SC, Minor damage. After leveling off from climb out the pilot heard a loud bang. After verifying the engine was performing the pilot then noticed damage to the aircraft's right…

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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