Summary
On December 30, 2015, a Piper PA 28-161 (N2135B) was involved in an incident near Fort Worth, TX. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: An inadvertent collision with a bird while on downwind in the airport pattern.
The flight instructor reported that while in the left downwind, a bird impacted the right leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor further reported that he landed without further incident.
A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the stabilator.
The flight instructor reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA095. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2135B.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
An inadvertent collision with a bird while on downwind in the airport pattern.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The flight instructor reported that while in the left downwind, a bird impacted the right leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor further reported that he landed without further incident.
A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the stabilator.
The flight instructor reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or 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# GAA16CA095