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GAA18CA435

2018-07-23 · Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport TUL

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The airplane’s collision with a bird during approach.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach, he observed a bird flying in the vicinity and then heard a "thump" and felt an impact above his head. The pilot landed the airplane without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed that a bird had impacted the airplane's vertical stabilizer, which sustained substantial damage. 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 approach, he observed a bird flying nearby and then heard a "thump" and felt an impact above his head. The pilot landed the airplane without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed that a bird had impacted the airplane's vertical stabilizer, which sustained substantial damage. 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

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2018_GAA18CA435.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

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