Probable cause
The airplane’s impact with a bird during approach.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during the downwind leg of the approach and as the airplane was about 1,000 ft above ground level, a bird struck the propeller and cowling. The pilot was able to land the airplane without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed bird feathers in the engine compartment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and forward fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA557 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 23, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fort Myers, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Buckingham Field (FL59)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech 35
- N-number
- N9422S
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1965
- 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.