Primary finding
Probable cause
The airplane’s impact with a bird.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The flight instructor reported that, about 3 minutes after the airplane was leveled off, "a black vulture" struck the windscreen. Subsequently, he returned to the airport and landed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windscreen. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The flight instructor reported that, about three minutes after they had leveled off, "a black vulture" struck the windscreen. The airplane returned to the airport and landed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windscreen. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.