Probable cause
An in-flight collisions with two Cackling Geese (Branta Hutchinsii).
NTSB analysis
The airline transport pilot was on a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, positioning flight. The pilot said that he was in cruise flight when the airplane struck two geese. One goose penetrated the right-side windscreen and came to rest at the rear of the passenger cabin; the second goose impacted the leading edge of the right wing. The pilot said that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The windscreen and right wing were structurally damaged by impact with the birds. The birds were identified as Cackling Geese (Branta Hutchinsii).
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC10CA031 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 8, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Eek, Alaska
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-31-350
- N-number
- N77HV
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.