Probable cause
An inadvertent collision with a bird during descent, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during descent, about 5nm from the destination airport, he saw a bird flying from his left to right side. The bird went into a dive and struck the vertical stabilizer. The pilot did not observe any flight anomalies and continued to the destination airport without incident. Subsequent examination revealed substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA197 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 22, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- New Bedford, Massachusetts
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 402C
- N-number
- N36911
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1980
- Damage
- Substantial
- 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.