Beech 200 N850BK accident near New Braunfels, Texas

Probable cause

The airplane’s in-flight collision with a bird.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane was descending through 2,500 ft while about 200 knots when a single bird struck the upper left corner of the pilot-side windshield. The windshield was broken and cracked by the impact. The pilot was seriously injured by flying glass that ejected from the broken inner ply's surface, which affected his vision. The passenger in the cabin moved up into the copilot's seat, and while being instructed by the pilot, landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained minor damage to the windshield. 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 GAA20CA054 for the full record.