N59798

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-31-350S/N: 31-7652071

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, June 30, 2011
NTSB Number
WPR11CA299
Location
Casper, WY
Event ID
20110630X70006
Coordinates
42.898545, -106.465440
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

An in-flight collision with a bird at low altitude.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N59798
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
31-7652071
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1976
Model / ICAO
PA-31-350PA31
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
FOWLER RICHARD L
Address
2488 S BROADWAY
Status
Deregistered
City
GRAND JUNCTION
State / Zip Code
CO 81503-2781
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated he was landing on runway 21 and was approximately 5 to 10 feet from touchdown when a large bird hit and broke the front center windshield of his airplane. With the bird covering his entire windscreen the pilot reacted by quickly moving his body to the right to avoid the bird, which had penetrated the windscreen. Subsequently the airplane's left wing came into contact with the runway surface causing the airplane to nose into the ground, severely damaging the left wing, collapsing the left landing gear, and bending both propellers. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions of failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA299