Piper PA 30 N7650Y

Summary

On 11 May 2019 at about 19:30 local time, a Piper PA 30 registered N7650Y was involved in an accident near Naples, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 May 2019 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Naples, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Naples Municipal Airport (APF)

Coordinates

26.2025, -81.7072

Aircraft

Piper PA 30

Registration

N7650Y

Category

Airplane

Year built

1965

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Key West → Naples

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA19FA170

1 person died.

Incapacitation of the pilot due to a birdstrike through the windshield in front of the pilot's position, while on approach to land.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While on approach to the destination airport in visual meteorological conditions, the airplane deviated unannounced from its intended flight path, descended, and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the airframe, flight controls, engines, engine systems, and propellers revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Remains of a 3.8-pound Black Vulture was found in the wreckage. A rear seat headrest and two inflatable lift vests located about 440 ft from the main wreckage were found to contain either DNA and/or microscopic feathers from a Black Vulture. Because the Black Vulture was located among the wreckage and because the airplane’s flight path deviation was unannounced, it is likely that the Black Vulture directly impacted and then penetrated the windshield in front of the pilot's position, which incapacitated him, resulting in an uncontrolled descent. The airplane was certificated in accordance with Civil Air Regulation 3, which specified no minimum standard for window or windshield structure strength, or bird penetration.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.