Probable cause
An inflight collision with a bird, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that as he was turning on the left downwind leg, he observed 5 or 6 large birds about 200 ft ahead of him, which appeared to be moving mostly downward and to the left of his heading. He attempted to climb and turn right to avoid them, but impacted one of the birds with the airplane’s left wing, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA124 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 6, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Rocky Mount, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Rocky Mount / Wilson Regional (RWI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172RG
- N-number
- N9382D
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1983
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.