Probable cause
The inadvertent in-flight collision with a bird.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that the airplane collided with an eagle during cruise flight while descending through 2,700 feet. After the bird strike, he diverted to a nearby airport and made an uneventful landing. A postaccident inspection revealed that the airplane had received substantial damage to the engine firewall and right cockpit windshield. All observed damage was consistent with the airplane colliding with a bird while in flight.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA202 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 11, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Middlefield, Ohio
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-24-180
- N-number
- N6314P
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.