Aviation Accident Summary MIA91LA031

OPA LOCKA, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N25053

CESSNA 152

Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED OPA LOCKA AIRPORT, OPA LOCKA, FLORIDA, VFR EN ROUTE TO AN OUTLYING AIRPORT, TO CONDUCT TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. DURING A TAKE OFF FROM THE OUTLYING AIRPORT, BIRDS ENTERED THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT PATH ON THE INITIAL CLIMB. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID A BIRD STRIKE, WITHOUT ESTABLISHING A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB, AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE FLIGHT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID A FLOCK OF BIRDS, RESULTING IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTOR(S) INCLUDED: ATTENTION DIVERTED.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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