Probable cause
An inflight collision with a bird while conducting low level aerobatics.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was performing an aerobatic routine (about 500 ft above ground level) when a large bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing resulting in substantial damage to the spar. The pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and landed without incident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA238 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 22, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bealeton, Virginia
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Mx Aircraft Llc MXS
- N-number
- N104MX
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2011
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Air show
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.