ANC02LA117

Factual narrative

On September 4, 2002, about 1413 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Piper PA-32R airplane, N40449, sustained substantial damage when the right wing was struck by a bird during takeoff from Manley Hot Springs, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated as Flight 2218, by Tanana Air Service, Fairbanks, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 5, the director of operations for the operator reported that as the airplane was taking off, a flock of geese flew into the path of the airplane. The leading edge of the right wing was struck by one of the birds. The operator replaced a 23-inch-wide section of the right wing leading edge skin, a leading edge rib, and a section of the wing top skin. The commercial certificated pilot was departing a remote airport on an air taxi flight. The pilot reported a flock of geese flew into the path of the airplane. The leading edge of the right wing was struck by one of the birds. The operator replaced a 23-inch-wide section of the right wing leading edge skin, a leading edge rib, and a section of wing top skin. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12