# NTSB WPR10CA157: Piper PA-28-161, N8441B, El Cajon, CA, March 13, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 13, 2010, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: El Cajon, CA - Coordinates: 32.82611, -116.972503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8261&lon=-116.9725&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 July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75487 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75487/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75487 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA157 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a bird in the downwind leg of the airport's traffic 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 certified flight instructor (CFI) and student performed a series of takeoffs and landings at the airport. The airplane's anti-collision light was operating. Clouds were located about 2,800 feet above ground level and the visibility was 25 miles. There was light turbulence in the area. While in the downwind leg for their fourth landing, the air traffic controller requested that the pilot fly an extended downwind leg. The CFI stated that "shortly thereafter, we noticed a red-tail hawk slightly ahead and at our same altitude. Upon sighting the bird, I immediately took control from my student and initiated a climbing turn to the left. A few seconds later we heard a loud impact on our right wing tip. I immediately looked out the window and noticed the wing had extensive damage." The CFI reported that she immediately landed, and during the approach she did not detect any noticeable effect on the airplane's performance. A 3-foot-long by 8-inch-deep area of the right wing's leading edge was crushed aft, and the internal wing structure was bent. No residue from the bird was found. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that she and her student planned to perform a series of takeoffs and landings at the airport. Their first takeoff occurred about 1410, and the CFI requested and received an air traffic clearance to remain in the pattern. The airplane's anti-collision light was operating. The lowest layer of clouds was located about 2,800 feet above ground level, and the visibility was 25 miles. There was light turbulence in the area. About 1430, after making three touch-and-go landings, the air traffic controller requested that the pilot fly an extended downwind leg. The CFI stated that "shortly thereafter, we noticed a red-tail hawk slightly ahead and at our same altitude. Upon sighting the bird, I immediately took control from my student and initiated a climbing turn to the left. A few seconds later we heard a loud impact on our right wing tip. I immediately looked out the window and noticed the wing had extensive damage." The CFI reported that she immediately landed, and during the approach she did not detect any noticeable effect on the airplane's performance. Regarding the extent of the damage, the flight school's director of maintenance reported that the outboard span of leading edge wing skin, immediately inboard of the wing tip, was crushed about 8 inches in an aft direction. In this area, an outer wing rib was cracked, and two ribs were bent. The span of the deformation was almost 3 feet, and a major structural airframe repair was required to fix the damaged wing. No residue of the impacted bird was found. Several photographs (included in the docket for this report) were provided to the National Transportation Safety Board by the airplane rental company, Golden State Flying Club, El Cajon, California. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8441B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8441B-2018-03-07), registration cancelled 2018-03-07, S/N 28-8216005, built 1981 (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: 28-8216005 - Airframe hours: 2360 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Golden State Flying Club - Registered owner: Volar Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 2010, 41 hours before - Departed: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Destination: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field, runway 27L, 2,738 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 30; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 25, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 1,535 total, 542 in this make and model, 1,430 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 32; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 75 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: SEE ## Other investigations on N8441B (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR15FA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA256), Sep 3, 2015: Piper PA28 (N8441B), Santee, CA, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilots' failure to maintain airplane control following a partial loss of engine power after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75487. 611 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 321 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327976&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Outboard Right Wing, Leading Edge (item 2, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328133&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Outboard%20Right%20Wing,%20Leading%20Edge-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Outboard Right Wing with Hand in Crushed Area. (item 3, .PDF, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328134&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Outboard%20Right%20Wing%20with%20Hand%20in%20Crushed%20Area.-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.