Probable cause
A bird strike.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 2,500 ft above mean sea level (1,920 ft above ground level) when he heard a "bang" and felt a jolt in the flight controls. He noted no abnormal flight characteristics, so he continued the flight and landed without incident. After landing, minor damage to the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer was observed. Microscopic examination of the damaged area revealed several feather barbs consistent with remnants from the Columbidae bird family, which includes doves and pigeons.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15IA385 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 27, 2015
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Joliet, Illinois
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-23-250
- N-number
- N900AM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1979
- Damage
- Minor
- 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.