Probable cause
An in-flight collision with a bird.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction reported that the airplane struck a bird during initial climb after takeoff. They were able to continue and land uneventfully. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA379 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 16, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Houston, Texas
- Nearest airport
- David Wayne Hooks Meml (DWH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech S35
- N-number
- N5874J
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1965
- 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.