Summary
On March 24, 2019, a Piper PA23 (N976AZ) was involved in an incident near Tampa, FL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: An in-flight collision with a bird during the approach, which resulted in damage to the vertical stabilizer.
The pilot of the multiengine airplane reported that, on a descending vector for a visual instrument landing system approach on an instrument flight rules flight plan, about 2500 to 2800 ft mean sea level, he "felt the aircraft shudder along with a loud bang." He then disengaged the autopilot to determine if the flight controls were affected and looked for damage on the wing and nose area; no damage was observed. The pilot further reported that he continued to the airport and landed without further incident. During the landing, a waiting aircraft reported they saw damage to the vertical stabilizer.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA180. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N976AZ.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
An in-flight collision with a bird during the approach, which resulted in damage to the vertical stabilizer.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the multiengine airplane reported that, on a descending vector for a visual instrument landing system approach on an instrument flight rules flight plan, about 2500 to 2800 ft mean sea level, he "felt the aircraft shudder along with a loud bang." He then disengaged the autopilot to determine if the flight controls were affected and looked for damage on the wing and nose area; no damage was observed. The pilot further reported that he continued to the airport and landed without further incident. During the landing, a waiting aircraft reported they saw damage to the vertical stabilizer.
The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the vertical stabilizer.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane 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# GAA19CA180