Probable cause
An in-flight collision with a bird during initial climb.
NTSB analysis
The pilot had just departed and was about 13 miles from the airport when he saw a large bird pass by the passenger side windshield. He did not feel or hear it strike the airplane, but within a few minutes of seeing the bird he began to smell a foul odor. The pilot visually confirmed that the bird had struck the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer causing substantial damage. The pilot made a 180-degree turn and landed uneventfully back at the departure airport.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA391 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 10, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Houston, Texas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech F33A
- N-number
- N70TP
- 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.