De Havilland DHC3 N104BM accident near Homer, Alaska

Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bald eagle, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.

NTSB analysis

The operator reported that the airplane was flying straight and level at an altitude about 2,500 ft when the flight crew saw what they believed to be a bald eagle immediately before hearing and feeling an impact to the left wing. After the impact, they noted that the leading edge of the wing was damaged and deformed. Although the airplane continued to perform normally, the crew elected to return to their base and land. The first landing attempt was aborted due to an uncontrollable aileron roll to the left when the airspeed dropped below 75 mph. During the subsequent landing, the flight crew maintained the airspeed above 75 mph until just above the landing surface. The landing was accomplished without any further control issues.

Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the left wing. Portions of the bird remains were retrieved from inside the left wing and sent to the Smithsonian Institution Feather Identification Laboratory in Washington, D.C. The remains were positively identified as bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The damage due to bird's impact with the left wing negatively affected the airplane's aerodynamic performance while operating at a slow airspeed, which necessitated the high speed landing.

The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC16LA034 for the full record.