# NTSB WPR10CA434: Piper PA-15, N4579H, Duvall, WA, August 28, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 28, 2010, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Duvall, WA - Coordinates: 47.705276, -121.99472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7053&lon=-121.9947&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77114 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA434 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77114/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77114 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA434 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a bird while maneuvering. ## 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-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-15, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that following departure he proceeded to practice maneuvers in the local area. According to the pilot no mechanical malfunctions occurred during flight. After flying about 45 minutes and during a turn, a brown bird suddenly appeared in the upper right corner of the windshield and collided with the airplane. A portion of the windshield broke out and the pilot lost partial control. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and he made a forced landing in an open field. During rollout on uneven terrain the landing gear separated from the fuselage. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that prior to taking off for a personal flight he added 6 gallons of fuel to the airplane. This was adequate for several hours of flying. Thereafter, he proceeded to practice maneuvers in the local area. According to the pilot, no mechanical malfunctions occurred during flight. After flying about 45 minutes and during a turn, a brown bird suddenly appeared in the upper right corner of the windshield. It collided with the airplane. A portion of the windshield broke out, and the pilot lost partial control. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude, and he made a forced landing in an open field. During rollout on uneven terrain the landing gear separated from the fuselage, which was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4579H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4579H), registered now, S/N 15-353 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-15 - Registry model: [Piper PA-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-15) (registry code 7101502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15-353 - Airframe hours: 1590 - Engines: LYCOMING O-145B SERIES 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Petersen Rodger E - Registered owner: Petersen Rodger E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 2010, 12 hours before - Departed: 1WA6, Fall City, WA - Destination: 1WA6, Fall City, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 29, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 332 total, 79 in this make and model, 334 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg ## 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 20100828045959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100828045959A), Aug 28, 2010: Piper PA-15, Duvall, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated during cruise flight a large bird struck and broke the windshield, which made the aircraft dificult to control. Pilot made an emergency landing in… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77114. 281 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 266 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Statement of J. Gerard (item 2, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20J.%20Gerard-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.