ERA20CA141

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that some birds moved over the runway when he was about to land the airplane. He applied full power and retracted the flaps to initiate a go-around procedure; however, the airplane touched down and departed the left side of the runway. The nose and both wings impacted the grass before the airplane came to rest upright.The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The student pilot, who also held a commercial pilot certificate in rotorcraft, reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter pilot was conducting his first solo cross-country flight in an airplane. He reported that some birds moved over the runway as he was about to land the airplane. He applied full power and retracted the flaps to initiate a go-around; however, the airplane touched down and departed the left side of the runway onto grass. The airplane's nose and both wings impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Effect on operation - C