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GAA18CA162

2018-03-13 · Punta Gorda, Florida, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport PGD

Current FAA registration · N989G

Make / Model
AEROPRO CZ EUROFOX LSA
Year of manufacture
2007 · 11 years old at event
Engine
ROTAX 912UL SERIES (80 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20070712
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S ADCD29

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

A collision with a large bird during approach.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the approach to land a "turkey vulture (bird)", impacted the airplane's front windshield. After the impact, an emergency was declared, and the airplane landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the front windshield. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, during the approach to land, a turkey vulture impacted the airplane's front windshield. After the impact, he declared an emergency and landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the front windshield. 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 Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Effect on equipment - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Ability to respond/compensate - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2018_GAA18CA162.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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