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LAX07CA279

2007-09-12 · Helena, Montana, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport HLN

Current FAA registration · N7221Q

Make / Model
CESSNA 172L
Year of manufacture
1972 · 35 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19720320
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A9AD84

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

unexpected collision with birds on short final that damaged the airplane wing structure.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, as he was about 50 feet above ground level on short final over the threshold, the right wing leading edge of the airplane struck several birds. There were no significant changes in how the flight controls felt on subsequent inputs, and the airplane landed without further incident. The pilot stated that the flight departed the airport about 10 minutes prior to the collision, and they were conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in moderate crosswind conditions. He stated that there were no NOTAM's in place warning of birds in the immediate area of the airport, and he did not have time to maneuver away from the birds. According to the pilot, as he was about 50 feet above ground level on short final over the threshold, the right wing leading edge of the airplane struck several birds. There were no significant changes in how the flight controls felt on subsequent inputs, and the airplane landed without further incident. The pilot stated that the flight departed the airport about 10 minutes prior to the collision, and they were conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in moderate crosswind conditions. He stated that there were no NOTAM's in place warning of birds in the immediate area of the airport, and he did not have time to maneuver away from the birds. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2007_LAX07CA279.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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