The Van’s RV-14 pilot told investigators that during a two-mile final for landing at the airport in Houston, Texas, he encountered a group of four large birds.
He pitched the airplane down to avoid striking one of the birds, but he did not have time to avoid them.
The airplane struck one of the birds at an airspeed of 105 knots and at an altitude of 880 feet mean sea level.
The bird, identified as a black vulture, remained draped around the vertical stabilizer, and there was some loss of stability about the vertical axis.
The pilot still had positive control of the airplane and he declared an emergency landing without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.
Probable Cause: The bird strike to the airplane’s vertical stabilizer during an approach for landing.
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This November 2023 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.
At least this one was unavoidable, was not due to pilot error, and only resulted in damage. I hope the airframe is repaired quickly and the pilot can return to safe flying.
Had a bird dive into the windshield. Wouldn’t have mattered which way you went. Fortunately I had just installed 1/4 inch.
In this case a climbing attempt may have put the vulture into the prop. I think the vertical stabilizer is the cheaper option.
Since birds will dive when threatened, the pilot should climb away from the birds. So, if you do hit one, it might be on the belly or landing gear.
I hit a small bird with my right wheel pant. I didn’t know it until I landed and found the ‘stuff’ on the front of the pant and no damage.