Primary finding
Probable cause
An in-flight collision with a bird shortly after takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, he encountered a flock of geese. One of the geese struck the right wing tip, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot declared an emergency with approach control and landed the airplane without further incident. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.