Beech C-99 N330AV incident near Show Low, Arizona

Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird during initial descent.

NTSB analysis

Shortly after the pilot began the descent to land, about 11,000 feet mean sea level, a bird struck the upper portion of the left pilot’s side windshield, resulting in minor damage to the airplane. The bird made an approximately 11-inch by 8-inch hole, sending bird and glass fragments into the cockpit area. The glass remaining in the windshield was shattered and almost opaque. The pilot continued the descent and landed the airplane uneventfully. Remains from the bird were sent to the Smithsonian Institute and identified as Western Grebe; the average weight of this species is 3.3 pounds.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10IA045 for the full record.