NTSB ERA22LA403 — 2022-09-02 · Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania, United States

Current FAA registration · N78QB

Make / Model: PIPER PA-28R-201
Year of manufacture: 1978 · 44 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER (180 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19780906
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S AA8F8D

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N78QB Piper PA28R None

Probable cause & findings

The airplane’s impact with a bird while entering the traffic pattern.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while entering the traffic pattern after a local flight, a large bird “dived” and struck the middle of the right wing, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing structure. He stated that there was no control difficulty and he was able to land safely on the intended runway. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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.

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

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2022_ERA22LA403.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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