N770AS

On August 28, 1999, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Maule M-7 airplane, N770AS, sustained substantial damage after an in-flight collision with a bird, about 8 miles east of Kotzebue, Alaska, about latitude 66 degrees, 52 minutes north, and longitude 162 degrees, 13 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Arctic Air Guides Flying Service, Kotzebue. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a remote area along the Selawik River, about 1412.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 30, 1999, the pilot reported he was returning to Kotzebue, and decided to fly about 200 feet agl above a small lake. A large brown bird collided with the left wing tip of the airplane. After landing, he discovered the wing tip faring was missing. The outboard end of the wing and the left aileron were damaged during the impact.