# NTSB WPR22LA358: Piper PA-28RT-201, N2919U, South Jordan, UT, September 23, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 22, 2022, 20:30 local (Sep 23, 2022, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: South Jordan, UT · 3 mi final for runway 34 at U42
- Coordinates: 40.619547, -111.99288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6195&lon=-111.9929&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106012
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA358
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106012/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106012
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA358

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inability to see and avoid a bird while landing in dark night conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/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-28RT-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102818), [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 · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=7102818), [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: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=7102818), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while on final approach for the night landing, a bird struck and broke the right-side windshield, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot continued with the approach and landed without further incident. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2919U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2919U), registered now, S/N 28R-7918220, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7918220
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 11939
- Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER A&C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 15, 2022
- Departed: U42, West Jordan, UT
- Destination: U42, West Jordan, UT
- Airport: U42, South Valley Regional
- Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 29, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 105 total, 10 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days
- Flight instructor; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: right; restraint: 3-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KSLC, 9 nm away
- METAR: METAR KSLC 230254Z 01004KT 10SM CLR 18/04 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP153 T01830039 53007

## 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 20220922016569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220922016569A), Sep 22, 2022: Piper PA-28RT-201, Salt Lake City, UT, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on approach into U42. About 2 miles out there was a loudcrashing sound, then the right side windscreen collapsed inward. The CFI was struck on the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106012. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14750949&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA358_6120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo of substantial damage (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 248 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14752200&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA358Photo%201_508-Rel.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.

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