# NTSB ERA26LA299: Cessna 172, N905KS, Lakeland, FL, July 24, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 24, 2026, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL · In the traffic pattern for RWY 10
- Coordinates: 27.983554, -82.020466 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9836&lon=-82.0205&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 October 1, 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): 203578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203578/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203578
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA299

## 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 · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072436), [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: [Cessna 172P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight crew reported that, while in the traffic pattern and turning from base to final, a large bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing, which resulted?in substantial damage to the wing structure. The pilot was able to land safely on the intended runway. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N905KS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N905KS), registered now, S/N 17276516, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (P)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276516
- Year built: 1985
- Airframe hours: 11646
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: King Sky Flight Academy
- Registered owner: Zoppe Eduardo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 2026, 27 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: LAL, Lakeland Linder Intl, runway 10, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2026; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,520 total, 1,495 in this make and model, 1,317 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days
- Student pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 21, 2026; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 541 total, 290 in this make and model, 455 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 2 nm away
- METAR: METAR KLAL 241950Z 03008KT 10SM FEW060 34/21 A3004=

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203578. 2.5 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=20842990&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA299%20Pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20843333&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA299%20Pilot%27s%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 752 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20842783&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA299%20Photo%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.