NTSB CEN24LA267 — 2024-07-12 · Saint James, Minnesota, United States

Current FAA registration · N3EC

Make / Model: COVINGTON EDWARD L SHA-GLASAIR
Engine: LYCOMING IO-320 SERIES (150 hp)
Seats / Engines: 2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19860620
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A31B07

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N3EC COVINGTON EDWARD L SHA-GLASAIR None

Probable cause & findings

An in-flight bird strike which resulted in an engine compartment fire that ultimately destroyed the airplane.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was on approach to land when he saw birds in his peripheral vision and then heard and felt them impact his airplane. The pilot landed, taxied to the runup pad, and shut down the engine because he smelled something burning. After exiting the airplane, he saw smoke. The pilot used the on-board fire extinguisher in an attempt to extinguish the engine compartment fire but was unsuccessful, and the fire subsequently destroyed the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Effect on equipment

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_CEN24LA267.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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