# NTSB LAX06CA140: Piper PA-31-310, N7086Z, Victorville, CA, March 30, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 30, 2006, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Victorville, CA
- Coordinates: 34.816665, -117.383331
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8167&lon=-117.3833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63482
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63482/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA140

## Probable cause

an in-flight collision with a bird.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, climb - to cruise
  - object - bird(s) (cause)

## Analysis

A large bird impacted the left wing of the airplane, resulting in substantial damage.  During climb out the pilot encountered a flock of birds, and as he attempted to maneuver around the birds, one collided with the left wing, outboard of the left engine.  The pilot returned to his departure airport for a precautionary landing.  As he slowed the airplane to land, the left wing became unstable and tried to drop.  He continued his approach to the runway at a higher than normal speed and landed uneventfully.

## Factual narrative

On March 30, 2007, at 1030 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-31-310, N7086Z, collided in flight with a large bird 15 miles north of Victorville and made a precautionary landing at Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, California.  Maricopa County Sheriff's Office was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The airplane sustained substantial damage; the commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The pilot departed from Victorville and was destined for Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, California.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that during climb out, the flight encountered a flock of birds.  He attempted to maneuver around the birds; however, one collided with the left wing, outboard of the left engine.  The pilot elected to return to Victorville for a precautionary landing.  As he slowed the airplane to land, the left wing became unstable and tried to drop.  He continued his approach to the runway at a higher than normal speed and landed uneventfully.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7086Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7086Z), registered now, S/N 31-7812083 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-31-310
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7812083
- Airframe hours: 6753.1
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 2006, 41.8 hours before
- Departed: VCV, Victorville, CA
- Destination: KFAT, Fresno, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 5,498 total, 900 in this make and model, 5,410 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20060330028469I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060330028469I), Mar 30, 2006: Piper PA31310, Victorville, CA, Minor damage. (-23) A large bird impacted the left wing on take-off resulting in damage. During climb out the pilot encountered a flock of birds, and as he attempted to…

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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