Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The airplane’s in-flight collision with a bird.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that, the airplane was descending through 2,500 ft, at about 200 knots, when a single bird, in a dive, struck the upper left corner of the pilot's side windshield. The windshield was broken and crazed by the impact. The pilot was seriously injured by the flying glass ejected from the broken inner ply's surface which affected his vision. The passenger in the cabin moved up into the co-pilot' seat and, while instructed by the pilot, landed the airplane without further incident.
The airplane sustained minor damage to the windshield.
The pilot reported that there were no 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# GAA20CA054