NTSB GAA16CA126 — 2016-02-04 · Newport, Rhode Island, United States

Current FAA registration · N102WM

Make / Model: PIPER PA-31-350
Year of manufacture: 1981 · 35 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER (310 hp)
Seats / Engines: 8 seats · 2 engines
Last airworthiness date: 19810430
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A00E22

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N102WM Piper PA31 None

Probable cause & findings

An inadvertent collision with birds during final approach at night.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported during night visual meteorological conditions, he struck multiple birds at an altitude of about 300 to 400 feet above ground on final approach. The pilot continued the approach and landed without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported during night visual meteorological conditions, he struck multiple birds at an altitude of about 300 to 400 feet above ground on final approach. The pilot continued the approach and landed without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported there were no 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.

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

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA126.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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