# NTSB GAA19CA180: Piper PA23, N976AZ, Tampa, FL, March 24, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 24, 2019, 14:27 local (18:27 UTC) - Place: Tampa, FL - Coordinates: 27.975555, -82.533332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9756&lon=-82.5333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99176 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99176/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99176 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA180 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a bird during the approach, which resulted in damage to the vertical stabilizer. ## 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-23-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102308), [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-descent: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-23-250, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7102308), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the multiengine airplane reported that, on a descending vector for a visual instrument landing system approach on an instrument flight rules flight plan, about 2,500 to 2,800 ft mean sea level, he "felt the aircraft shudder along with a loud bang." He then disengaged the autopilot to determine if the flight controls were affected and looked for damage on the wing and nose area; he saw no damage. The pilot continued to the airport and landed without further incident. During the landing, the pilot of a waiting aircraft reported that he saw damage to the accident airplane's vertical stabilizer that looked like a bird had hit it. During postaccident examination, blood and tissue were found on the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the multiengine airplane reported that, on a descending vector for a visual instrument landing system approach on an instrument flight rules flight plan, about 2500 to 2800 ft mean sea level, he "felt the aircraft shudder along with a loud bang." He then disengaged the autopilot to determine if the flight controls were affected and looked for damage on the wing and nose area; no damage was observed. The pilot further reported that he continued to the airport and landed without further incident. During the landing, a waiting aircraft reported they saw damage to the vertical stabilizer. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N976AZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N976AZ), registered now, S/N 27-7654200, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA23 (250) - Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-C4B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-c4b5) (registry code 41651, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-7654200 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 1514.7 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mtn Aviation Llc - Registered owner: Mtn Aviation Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 2018 - Departed: F45, West Palm Beach, FL - Destination: TPA, Tampa, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: TPA, Tampa Intl, runway 19L, 8,300 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 18, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 21,218 total, 866 in this make and model, 21,018 as pilot in command, 166 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KTPA, 1 nm away ## 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 20190324001969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190324001969A), Mar 24, 2019: Piper PA-23-250, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. On March 24, 2019 at 1452 EDT a Piper PA-23-250, N976AZ that is registered to mtn aviation LLC. Struck a bird at 3000 feet. Aircraft landed without incident… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 10, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99176. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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. --- 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.