Probable cause
The airplane’s collision with a bird while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that while in the downwind leg of a traffic pattern, the right wing of the airplane impacted an object. Subsequently, the airplane yawed to the right and lost altitude. The pilot notified the tower and immediately executed a precautionary landing. Postaccident examination of the airplane found damage to the right wing’s leading edge, just outboard of the side strut. The leading edge was crushed aft revealing internal surfaces of the wing structure. Feather fragments were later found on the internal surfaces. A large deceased golden eagle and a small hobby drone were found below the downwind leg traffic area during a search. The hobby drone was mostly undamaged and had signatures indicating that it had been in the area for an extended period of time and was not likely impacted by an airplane. Lab results confirmed the airplane impacted a golden eagle.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR20LA256 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 2, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- San Jose, California
- Nearest airport
- Reid Hillview (KRHV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N55231
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2014
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.