GENERAL INFORMATION FOR NTSB REPORT: ANC00LA004
Data Source NTSB AVIATION ACCIDENT/INCIDENT DATABASE
NTSB Report Nbr ANC00LA004
Event Id 20001212X19896
Local Date 10/11/1999
Local Time 1330
State AK
Event Type ACCIDENT
Injury Severity NONE
Record Status FINAL
Mid Air Collision NO
Event Location OFF AIRPORT/AIRSTRIP

WEATHER INFORMATION
Weather Briefing Complete UNKNOWN
Basic Weather Conditions VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL COND
Light Condition DAY
Cloud Condition CLEAR
Cloud Height above Ground Level (ft) 0
Ceiling Height above Ground Level (ft) 0
Cloud Type NONE
Visibility RVR (ft) 0
Visibility RVV (sm) 0
Visibility (sm) 10
Wind Direction (deg) 0
Wind Condition Flag U
Wind Speed (knots) 0
Wind Condition Indicated Unknown

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
Aircraft 1
Type of Operation PART 135: AIR TAXI & COMMUTER
Registration Number N74923
Aircraft Make PIPER
Aircraft Model PA31
Aircraft Series UNDESIGNATED SERIES
Aircraft Damage SUBSTANTIAL
Aircraft Fire NONE
Aircraft Explosion NONE
Aircraft Type AIRPLANE
Aircraft Homebuilt UNKNOWN
Phase of Flight CRUISE
Aircraft Use UNKNOWN
Category of Operation SCHEDULED
Flight Plan Filed COMPANY VFR
Domestic/International DOMESTIC
Passenger/Cargo PASSENGER/CARGO
Operator Name F S AIR SERVICE INC
Operator Doing Business As
Owner Name FS AIR SERVICE, INC.
Number of Seats 7
Number of Engines 2
ELT Installed YES
ELT Operated NO
Departure Airport Id ANC
Departure City ANCHORAGE
Departure State ALASKA
Last Departure Point NO
Destination Airport Id SWD
Destination City SEWARD
Destination State ALASKA
Runway Id 0
Air Carrier Operating Certificates YES
Air Carrier Other Operating Certificates UNKNOWN
Rotocraft/Agriculture Operating Certificate UNKNOWN
Cert Max Gross Wgt 7368
Landing Gear RETR

ENGINE INFORMATION

Aircraft 1 - Engine : #1
Engine Manufactuer Lycoming
Engine Model TIO-540-J2BD
Engine Horsepower 350
Engine Thrust HP
Carb/Injection FUEL INJECTED

INJURY INFORMATION
Injury Summary for Aircraft 1
Fatal Serious Minor None
Crew 0 0 0 0
Pass 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 1
Sequence of Events for Aircraft 1
Occurrence #1
IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH OBJECT
Phase of Operation: CRUISE

Events Sequence for Occurrence #1 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor
1 1 OBJECT BIRD(S) CAUSE
2 1 HORIZONTAL STABILIZER BENT




AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT


On October 11, 1999, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-31 airplane, N74923, sustained substantial damage when it struck a bird during cruise over Skilak Lake, Alaska, about 15 miles east of Soldotna, Alaska, at 60 degrees 27 minutes north latitude, 150 degrees 29 minutes west longitude. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 135 as scheduled commuter Flight 13. The flight departed the Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, about 1300 for Seward, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a company VFR flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) on October 12, the pilot stated that while in cruise at 2,500 feet above sea level (msl), the airplane shuddered. He noticed blood on the end of the right horizontal stabilizer, and realized the airplane had struck a bird which he had not seen. He said the airplane did not require any trim changes after the impact. The pilot returned the airplane to Anchorage. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the airplane's right horizontal stabilizer, requiring replacement of the stabilizer assembly.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT


The pilot stated that while in cruise at 2,500 feet above sea level (msl), he felt the airplane shudder. He noticed blood on the tip of the right horizontal stabilizer, and realized the airplane had struck a bird which he had not seen. The pilot indicated the airplane did not require any trim changes after the impact. The pilot returned the airplane to Anchorage. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the airplane's right horizontal stabilizer, requiring replacement of the stabilizer assembly.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT


An in-flight collision with a bird.


END REPORT