Primary finding
Probable cause
An in-flight collision with a flock of birds while the airplane was descending through a cloud layer.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane collided with several birds as it descended though a cloud layer. The flight crew reported that there were no observed flight control issues; however, they elected to return to the departure airport and landed without incident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed bird remains along the substantially damaged left wing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 18, 2010, at 1253 central daylight time, N1TR, a Beech A100 multiengine airplane, received substantial damage after impacting several birds near Palestine, Texas. The pilot, co-pilot, and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Trinity River Authority of Texas, Arlington, Texas. The flight was descending through a cloud layer and was in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) at the time of the accident. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the public use flight. The airplane had departed the Arlington Municipal Airport (GKY), Arlington, Texas, at 1225, and was en route for the Palestine Municipal Airport (PSN), Palestine, Texas. The pilot reported that the airplane was descending through 4,000 feet in IMC, when the airplane struck multiple birds. The airplane shuttered; however, the pilot reported that the airplane was controllable and that the airplane handling was not adversely affected. The flight crew elected to return to GKY and landed without further incident. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing leading edge and spar outboard of the stall fence. The leading edge of the vertical stabilizer sustained minor damage. Bird remains and feathers were observed near the damaged area of the left wing and the vertical fin of the tail section.