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GAA18CA357

2018-06-06 · Fairbanks, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N8646V

Make / Model
BELLANCA 7ECA
Year of manufacture
1975 · 43 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES (115 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19750424
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S ABE0F1

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The airplane’s collision with a bird while maneuvering.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, a bird struck the airplane's windscreen when he was practicing a steep turn. The airplane remained controllable, and he returned to the airport and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windscreen, windows and greenhouse. A post-accident examination of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Safety Inspectors revealed that the greenhouse had been installed incorrectly. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, a bird struck the airplane's windscreen when he was practicing a steep turn. The airplane remained controllable, and he returned to the airport and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windscreen, windows, and skylight. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector revealed that the skylight had been installed incorrectly. The pilot reported that 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
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Effect on operation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2018_GAA18CA357.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

Search this event elsewhere

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Related research

Matched on aircraft type or causal vocabulary (icing, stall). All research papers