Probable cause
An inflight collision with a bird.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that during an instructional flight, a large bird flew into the path of the airplane and his evasive actions were unsuccessful in avoiding the bird. The bird struck the airplane’s left wing. The flight instructor made an uneventful landing following the bird strike. The left-wing leading edge and main spar were substantially damaged during the bird strike. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA131 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 6, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tomball, Texas
- Nearest airport
- David Wayne Hooks Meml (DWH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech E-55
- N-number
- N101BM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1971
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.