Piper PA-46-350P N7KH

Summary

On 11 May 2003 at about 20:00 local time, a Piper PA-46-350P registered N7KH was involved in an accident near Brooksville, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 May 2003 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Brooksville, Florida, United States

Coordinates

28.4736, -82.4556

Aircraft

Piper PA-46-350P

Registration

N7KH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

St. Petersburg → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA03LA115

Nobody was injured.

The in-flight collision with a Black Vulture resulting in substantial damage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that after takeoff he performed airwork for approximately 1 hour then proceeded direct to the Hernando County Airport where he performed 2 or 3 practice instrument approaches. During climb out at 2,000 feet between 110 and 120 knots following another practice instrument approach, he noted a large bird fly past the windshield. He then felt an impact but there was no discrepancy with the flight controls. As the flight lesson was nearly complete, the flight proceeded to the departure airport where the airplane was landed uneventfully. The airplane was secured, then visually inspected which revealed a dent in the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer. He remained overnight at the airport, then departed the following day for an airport located along the east coast of Florida. The safety pilot reported that she was flying with the pilot to complete his annual recurrent training and after the initial departure proceeded to the Hernando County Airport to practice instrument approaches. The pilot-in-command had been holding at the published holding intersection (AZBOG), departed the holding pattern, began climbing, and while flying at 2,500 feet mean sea level and 120 knots indicated airspeed, collided with a bird. No effect on flight controls was noted and the flight proceeded to the initial departure airport where after landing, the external damage was noted. Examination of the airplane revealed the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer was crushed up near left butt line 38.177. Inspection revealed that canted frame assembly (p/n 84246-800), located at fuselage station 311.382, was torn adjacent to the forward attach bolt of the left horizontal stabilizer. Additionally, an angle (p/n 84218-2), which is riveted to and part of the canted frame assembly exhibited a section missing below and outboard of the forward attach bolt of the left horizontal stabilizer. Evidence of displacement between the forward attach bolt of the left horizontal stabilizer and the canted frame assembly was noted. Personnel from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History identified the bird to be the Black Vulture (Coryagyps atratus), which has a weight range between 42-75 ounces.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.