Probable cause
An in-flight collision with a bird while descending to land at an airport.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that while returning to the airport from a lesson, both he and the student saw a medium-sized bird at their 12 o’clock position. The airplane was descending through 1,400 feet mean sea level when the bird dove into their flight path, impacting the left wing’s leading edge. The student continued to the airport as the pilot flying and landed without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the left wing had been substantially damaged.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA161 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 1, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fellsmere, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA28R
- N-number
- N8583N
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2016
- 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.