# NTSB GAA20CA038: Piper PA28, N637FT, Wedgefield, FL, October 20, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 20, 2019, 13:46 local (17:46 UTC) - Place: Wedgefield, FL - Coordinates: 28.102777, -80.645278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1028&lon=-80.6453&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100455 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100455/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100455 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA038 ## 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 operation (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) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (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. - [Enroute: 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 en route on an instrument flight plan, about 4000 ft, the airplane entered a cloud where a flock of large black birds were circling. A bird impacted the stabilator, and he then disengaged the autopilot and checked the flight controls for any adverse effects; he did not see any. The instructor then chose to return to the departure airport and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the stabilator. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that, while en route on an instrument flight plan, about 4000 ft, they entered a cloud where a flock of large black birds were circling. A bird impacted the stabilator, he disengaged the autopilot and checked the flight controls for any adverse effects, which none were observed. The instructor then elected to returned to the departure airport and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the stabilator. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N637FT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N637FT), registered now, S/N 2842314, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (161) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-D3G](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-d3g) (registry code 42156, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2842314 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 7616.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: F I T Aviation Llc - Registered owner: F I T Aviation Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 8, 2019 - Departed: MLB, Melbourne, FL - Destination: LEE, Leesburg, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 130 total, 56 in this make and model, 76 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 21; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 18, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 820 total, 700 in this make and model, 715 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KMLB ## 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 20191020021939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191020021939A), Oct 20, 2019: Piper PA-28-161, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft departed Melbourne airport(mlb) for an instructional flight and experience a bird strike at 4000 feet approx. 15 miles northwest of the airport… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100455. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 852 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479282&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Damage Photo (item 2, .PDF, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479283&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%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.