NTSB CAROL · Event
Event GAA19CA268
Registry · N4599X
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
PIPER PA-32-300
Year of manufacture
1975 · 44 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING TI0-540 SER (310 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19751106
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A59734
Registrant of record
STAR MARIANAS AIR INC
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The airplane’s collision with a bird during the initial climb, which resulted in the engine cowling separating and impacting the empennage.
Factual narrative
The operator reported that, during the initial climb, about 1,500 ft, the pilot and passengers reported hearing and feeling an impact. The upper left engine cowling separated and struck the windshield. The pilot declared an emergency, returned to the departure airport, and landed without further incident Postaccident examination revealed traces of blood on the propeller, left wing leading edge, and the vertical stabilizer leading edge. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, which was consistent with impact damage from the separated engine cowling. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The operator reported that, during the initial climb, about 1,500 ft, the pilot and passengers reported hearing and feeling an impact. Subsequently, the upper left engine cowling separated and struck the windshield. The pilot declared an emergency, returned to the departure airport, and landed without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed traces of blood on the propeller, the left wing leading edge, and the vertical stabilizer leading edge. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, which was consistent with impact damage from the separated engine cowling. The operator 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
Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).
- C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Effect on operation - 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_2019_GAA19CA268.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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