Primary finding
Probable cause
An inflight collision with a bird during initial climb.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The flight instructor and the pilot-rated student were in the flying in the airport traffic pattern practicing takeoffs and landings. During the initial climb following a touch-and-go landing, with the student at the controls, a large bird flew directly in front of the airplane. The student attempted to avoid it; however, the bird struck the leading edge of the left wing. The flight instructor took over the controls and landed the airplane uneventfully. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and found that the wing had been substantially damaged as a result of the birdstrike.