# NTSB GAA17CA161: Piper PA 28R, N962WW, Phoenix, AZ, February 20, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 20, 2017, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.849445, -112.228057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8494&lon=-112.2281&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94790/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94790
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA161

## 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 · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102816), [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-28R-201, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor reported that, while performing maneuvers about 800 ft above the ground, a bird impacted the left wing. He added that he returned to the airport without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that, while performing maneuvers about 800 ft above the ground, a bird impacted the left wing. He added that he returned to the airport without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The flight instructor did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N962WW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N962WW), registered now, S/N 2844022, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28R (201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2844022
- Year built: 2000
- Airframe hours: 9568.3
- Engines: LYCOMING IO360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Westwind Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Westwind Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 23, 2017
- Departed: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 28, 2016; seat: right; flight hours: 378 total, 66 in this make and model, 221 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days
- Flight instructor; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 17, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 7,561 total, 1,015 in this make and model, 7,421 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: KDVT

## 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 20170220001069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170220001069A), Feb 20, 2017: Piper PA-28R-201, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. On February 20, 2017, the pilot and student took off to practice for CFI single-engine check ride from Deer valley airport in Phoenix, AZ (kdvt). The airplane…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 5, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94790. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 878 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453991&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 408 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453992&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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