Primary finding
Probable cause
An inflight collision with a bird while approaching the destination airport.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was on the last leg of a solo, cross-country flight. About 10 miles west of his destination airport, he encountered a flock of birds. While attempting to evade the flock, a large bird struck the right wing leading edge, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot was able to continue to his destination and land uneventfully with the bird lodged in the wing.