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GAA17CA161

2017-02-20 · Phoenix, Arizona, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N962WW

Make / Model
PIPER PA-28R-201
Year of manufacture
2000 · 17 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING I0360 SER A&C (200 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20000104
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AD659D

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

An in-flight collision with a bird.

Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that, while performing maneuvers about 800 ft above the ground, a bird impacted the left wing. He added that he returned to the airport without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The flight instructor did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that, while performing maneuvers about 800 ft above the ground, a bird impacted the left wing. He added that he returned to the airport without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The flight instructor 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.

  • 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_2017_GAA17CA161.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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