PIPER PA-31-350
Atlanta, GA — March 7, 2012
Event Information
| Date | March 7, 2012 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA12CA218 |
| Event ID | 20120309X70038 |
| Location | Atlanta, GA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.87583, -84.30194 |
| Airport | Dekalb Peachtree Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA-31-350 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | NDRK |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
An in-flight collision with birds during cruise flight.
Full Narrative
The airplane was in cruise flight at 6,000 feet above ground level when the windscreen was shattered by birds. The birds hit the top center section of the windscreen and entered the cockpit. The pilot declared an emergency with Air Traffic Control and requested an IFR clearance back to his departure airport. The clearance was approved. The pilot was not injured and the airplane arrived at the departure airport without further incident. Examination of the airplane revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage. The vertical stabilizer received structural damage and had to be replaced.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.