Hit a bird - how bad does this look?

The dog has a love hate relationship with birds. She loves hunting and pointing them out for me. She hates when I miss. Goes right back to hunting when she sees theyre still flying. When they're hit she'll hold until she gets a tap to release.

Bummer on the bird strike. Did you have chicken for dinner out of spite?
 
Racerx said:
The dog has a love hate relationship with birds. She loves hunting and pointing them out for me. She hates when I miss. Goes right back to hunting when she sees theyre still flying. When they're hit she'll hold until she gets a tap to release.

Bummer on the bird strike. Did you have chicken for dinner out of spite?
Click to expand...

I eat so much chicken, this was probably the bird's world payback. But because they have bird brains, they didn't think through that a plane will shred them.
 
Bird a hits the wing so hard it dents the leading edge

Bird b hits the air filter but doesn’t go through it? Did it hit the cowling or something first and then roll/bounce/flop into the filter?
 
Randomskylane said:
Bird a hits the wing so hard it dents the leading edge

Bird b hits the air filter but doesn’t go through it? Did it hit the cowling or something first and then roll/bounce/flop into the filter?
Click to expand...
Same reason why a bullet will go through some pretty thick metal but is stopped by kevlar. The layers deformed and spead out the load.
 
Randomskylane said:
Bird a hits the wing so hard it dents the leading edge

Bird b hits the air filter but doesn’t go through it? Did it hit the cowling or something first and then roll/bounce/flop into the filter?
Click to expand...

No idea. But there is no damage to the air filter or housing at all. Mind you, they were pretty small birds. The one inside the air filter housing doesn’t look like much of a bird anymore, feathers, guts and i can make out a leg. I’m home now, drove back. My mechanic and I will drive back next week and change the filter, double check there isn’t anything else of concern and barring any surprises fly it home then. Probably get the dent taken out by the local mechanic while it’s stuck anyways.

IMG_1625.jpeg
 
Chrisgoesflying said:
Also, the bird that hit the wing, hit it where there is no structure behind it and also between the stall warning opening and pitot tube. Sucks to hit birds but seeing how and where they hit, I think overall we got pretty lucky.
Click to expand...
You're lucky you were in a Comanche. If you'd been in a 172 it might have hit the trailing edge and then you'd have worse damage to contend with.

Nauga,
and a brake check
 
Possible it was in pieces before it went in there. My one bird strike turned into a cloud of feathers in the prop. There were a few bloody chunks stuck to the wings and in the cowl when we landed.
 
One time I hit a small bird with my prop on touch and goes and i got it on the gopro that was bolted to the rear tie down.
That was interesting to see. Luckily no damage just some blood on the wing.
 
Just curious, would a bird/prop encounter count as a prop strike? Would it depend on the size of the bird(s)?
Chrisgoesflying said:
It was a flock. I would say 10+ of them. The little annoying ones that fly around like they're always on something. I'm surprised I didn't hit more.
Click to expand...
Good thing it was a flock, not a gaggle.
 
I had a head on encounter today with a turkey hawk, climbing out from my airport. Luckily he saw me and pulled up hard and to his right to miss me.
I have had 2 close calls with bald eagles down by the river in the past. One time I could clearly see his eyes and they were focused on me.
 
farmrjohn said:
Just curious, would a bird/prop encounter count as a prop strike? Would it depend on the size of the bird(s)?
Click to expand...

Based on Lycoming only if the strike causes a sudden, noticeable drop in RPM. In Canada, we had mosquitos larger than the bird we hit so even if the bird went through the prop, it didn't cause a drop in RPM. No guts or damage on the prop - I did check for that.
 
aterry1067 said:
It’s a deformation in the leading edge/most critical section of the wing. It’s probably fine for 99% of the time, but airflow over that section will most certainly be affected. I’d be careful about getting slow in a left hand turn. You’d likely never notice any difference in flight characteristics, but it’s possible that that wing section may stall slightly earlier than before.

The responses are killing me. Use a Home Depot screw in a wing tip, or use a gates alt belt from auto zone and OMG you’re airplane is going to fall apart and the FAA police are going to arrest you for an illegal airplane part!!! But a deformation in a leading edge large enough to likely affect airflow? Nahhhhh you’re good. :D
Click to expand...
YES.

There are two issues.

1) Is there any structural issues. A&P may be able to determine that.

2) Airfoil deformation. A&P is NOT qualified to make that call. If you fly it, you are a test pilot.

3) Legal issues. Is it legal to fly it without a ferry permit?
 
Pinecone said:
2) Airfoil deformation. A&P is NOT qualified to make that call. If you fly it, you are a test pilot.
Click to expand...
Damage is damage. An A&P is "qualified" to make a determination on any type of damage and how it may affect the airworthiness of the aircraft to include its flight characteristics.

Pinecone said:
3) Legal issues. Is it legal to fly it without a ferry permit?
Click to expand...
Yes. A SFP is only needed if the aircraft determined to be unairworthy.
 
Pinecone said:
YES.

There are two issues.

1) Is there any structural issues. A&P may be able to determine that.

2) Airfoil deformation. A&P is NOT qualified to make that call. If you fly it, you are a test pilot.

3) Legal issues. Is it legal to fly it without a ferry permit?
Click to expand...

Read through the thread. A&P already determined that there are no structural issues. A&P already determined that the extend of the dent is considered "minor - no repair needed" as per Piper's documentation (which doesn't apply to PA-24s) and AC 43.13-1B (which does apply and is commonly used for Canadian aircraft). Will I still repair it? Yes, because it's ugly - but not because it's a flight issue.

P.S. You wrote there are two issues and made three points lol.
 
Last edited:
A friend of mine hit a buzzard in a 172 some years back. It put a deep dent in the leading edge the size of a basketball. Very difficult to control with the buzzard still attached. An A&P came over, removed the bird, and flew it back to his home airport. He said it flew normally in level cruise flight. I think they replaced the entire leading edge.
 
It’s strongly encouraged to report bird strikes. The FAA has a funded program to help track bird strikes for research studies. I’ve submitted dozens of these over the years. Have an old friend who’s now working for the FSDO and assigned to bird strikes. He personally reached out and thanked me last week for a recent bird strike report in which I was the pilot. Says he wishes more pilots would participate in the program. First time anyone has responded:) I was beginning to wonder if the FAA actually looks at these reports. Sounds like a good (no threat) program available for us to help improve safety.

FAA Wildlife Strike Database

wildlife.faa.gov wildlife.faa.gov
 
Jdm said:
It’s strongly encouraged to report bird strikes. The FAA has a funded program to help track bird strikes for research studies. I’ve submitted dozens of these over the years. Have an old friend who’s now working for the FSDO and assigned to bird strikes. He personally reached out and thanked me last week for a recent bird strike report in which I was the pilot. Says he wishes more pilots would participate in the program. First time anyone has responded:) I was beginning to wonder if the FAA actually looks at these reports. Sounds like a good (no threat) program available for us to help improve safety.

FAA Wildlife Strike Database

wildlife.faa.gov wildlife.faa.gov
Click to expand...

I filled it out and submitted the report within 24 hours of the strike happening. I did the same last time I hit a bird two years ago. I think it's great to track these and hopefully contribute to reducing those incidents. You filled out dozens of these? You hit a lot of birds, Sir!
 
Chrisgoesflying said:
I filled it out and submitted the report within 24 hours of the strike happening. I did the same last time I hit a bird two years ago. I think it's great to track these and hopefully contribute to reducing those incidents. You filled out dozens of these? You hit a lot of birds, Sir!
Click to expand...
Yep, 2 reports this month. Most seem to be either on approach around 1,500 AGL or short final. Almost all have been around daybreak. I log a lot of flashlight weather!
 
Jdm said:
Yep, 2 reports this month. Most seem to be either on approach around 1,500 AGL or short final. Almost all have been around daybreak. I log a lot of flashlight weather!
Click to expand...

What kind of plane do you fly and how much do you fly? I thought I was unlucky when it comes to smashing birds - 2 in just under 600 hours and 6 years of flying, but it seems like you definitely beat me!
 
Chrisgoesflying said:
What kind of plane do you fly and how much do you fly? I thought I was unlucky when it comes to smashing birds - 2 in just under 600 hours and 6 years of flying, but it seems like you definitely beat me!
Click to expand...
Currently 75 Freighters. Maybe 300 hrs per year. Only hit a few in GA. One went right in the A36’s pitot tube. Clogged that sucker up something terrible!
 
Bell206 said:
Damage is damage. An A&P is "qualified" to make a determination on any type of damage and how it may affect the airworthiness of the aircraft to include its flight characteristics.


Yes. A SFP is only needed if the aircraft determined to be unairworthy.
Click to expand...
lol. I’m glad you put the “qualified” in quotes.

Qualified/experienced, current/proficient; tomato/ ‘mater….
 
Welcome to the club. Hit a Turkey Buzzard the other month with about the same size dent. It was "rather loud" to put it mildly. Plane is flyable, dent not in a critical part, and they'll pull the dent as much as possible next month. I'll have the paint guys touch it up as much as they can after that.

Could have been worse. Instead of a Turkey Buzzard, could have hit something larger....

1748311376580.png
 
Mermber of the flying club hit a large owl while doing his night currency landings. Fortunately solo, as the bird came through the right side of the windscreen, ended up in baggage area, with damage to the plastic parts there. It was well fed, and the mess awesome, in the negative direction.

We elected to buy the thicker replacement part, even though cost much more. We hoped to keep the next bird outside.
 
geezer said:
Mermber of the flying club hit a large owl while doing his night currency landings. Fortunately solo, as the bird came through the right side of the windscreen, ended up in baggage area, with damage to the plastic parts there. It was well fed, and the mess awesome, in the negative direction.

We elected to buy the thicker replacement part, even though cost much more. We hoped to keep the next bird outside.
Click to expand...

My windscreen and windows will need to be replaced in a year or so as well. I'm definitely looking at the thickest glass I can get. Won't keep a Canadian goose out but still.
 
Chrisgoesflying said:
My windscreen and windows will need to be replaced in a year or so as well. I'm definitely looking at the thickest glass I can get. Won't keep a Canadian goose out but still.
Click to expand...
Hold on... I thought Canadians got very angry when you called their beloved "Canada Goose" a "Canadian Goose". Has Texas rubbed off on you that quickly?

I prefer the term "Cobra Chicken" myself.
 
Jim K said:
Hold on... I thought Canadians got very angry when you called their beloved "Canada Goose" a "Canadian Goose". Has Texas rubbed off on you that quickly?

I prefer the term "Cobra Chicken" myself.
Click to expand...

I didn't even know that. Keep in mind, I'm an implanted Canadian. I don't do hockey, poutine or say "eh" after every sentence. You know how most Canadians get very offended when anyone brings up making them part of the U.S.? I don't, I'm more like "sure, why not". lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top