# NTSB GAA16CA095: Piper PA 28-161, N2135B, Fort Worth, TX, December 30, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 30, 2015, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.814445, -97.364723 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8144&lon=-97.3647&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92530
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92530/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92530
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA095

## Probable cause

An inadvertent collision with a bird while on downwind in the airport pattern.

## 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-28-161, 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.

- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: 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 while in the left downwind, a bird impacted the right leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor further reported that he landed without further incident. A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the stabilator. The flight instructor reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that while in the left downwind, a bird impacted the right leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor further reported that he landed without further incident. A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the stabilator. The flight instructor reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2135B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2135B), registered now, S/N 28-7916110, built 1978 (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: 28-7916110
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 7483.5
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 16, 2015
- Departed: FTW, Fort Worth, TX
- Destination: FTW, Fort Worth, TX
- Airport: FTW, Fort Worth Meacham Intl, runway 16, 7,502 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 25, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 30; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 0.4 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 0.4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: KFTW

## 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 20151230023769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151230023769A), Dec 30, 2015: Piper PA-28-161, Ft Worth, TX, Substantial damage. On December 30, 2015, at 1245 CST, a Piper PA-28-161, N2135B, s/n 28-7916110 [privacy data omitted]had a birdstrike while on a local student training flight…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 2, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92530. 3.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436295&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Email (Flight Instructor) (item 2, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email%20(Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.

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