Probable cause
An in-flight collision with a bird while on downwind.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that, while the student pilot was flying on downwind, he noticed a bird approaching the airplane. He added that he took the flight controls from the student and banked left, but the airplane struck the bird. The airplane landed without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Diagram page for the airport stated, in part: "Birds and wildlife on and invof [in vicinity of] arpt."
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA573 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 22, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Chino, California
- Nearest airport
- Chino (CNO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N520KS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2004
- 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.