The pilot reported that during the initial climb from the airport in Gainesville, Florida, about 1,500 ft mean sea level, a bird was flying vertical and then turned into the Cessna P210.
The bird hit the propeller, continued through the left side of the windshield, and hit the pilot in the face.
After regaining control of the airplane, he declared an emergency and landed without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windshield. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The airplane’s impact by a bird during the initial climb.
This December 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
While in training for my ppl in Gainesville Florida at the same airport, I was doing a touch and go and at about 600 feet agl a bird hit the school’s Piper Warrior (which I was flying solo) in the wing and I landed safely. The damage was minor but the repair cost the insurance company about $8,000.00. I still fly out of Gainesville and am always on the lookout for those damn dodo birds.
The photo shows massive destruction of the LH windshield half… just fragments remaining around the framing structure.
Military experience with stretched acrylic plastic windshields, windows and canopies… even with coatings… impact toughness degrades substantially after 10-to-15 years… even when cared-for and the aircraft is constantly hangered. Degradation is significantly worse/faster with outdoor tiedown [constant environmental exposure] and minimal covering from dust/grime/poop, etc.
Birds don’t hit airplanes. Airplanes hit birds. And NEVER fly under birds.
Concur with 4 Zulu… ‘best practice’ for describing these type collisions would be to use the general term ‘bird-strike’… likewise [animal]-strike, drone-strike, wire-strike, pole-strike, etc…
While I’m in level flight a bird tucked his wings and dove into my windshield, which is their typical reaction to danger. While the bird and aircraft did indeed impact each other, the report should read the bird struck the plane. Establishes liability in case of a lawsuit!,,,,lol
Perhaps in areas with lots of birds bigger than sparrows a helmet with a full face shield might be a good idea below 10,000 feet.
Or a bird proof windshield.