Probable cause
The airplane’s impact with a bird while in the traffic pattern.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, a bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure. The airplane was controllable and the pilot was able to land safely on the intended runway.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA073 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 11, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Wheeler Heights, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Macon Downtown (MAC)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper Aircraft Inc PA-28-181
- N-number
- N263MG
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2020
- 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.