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Bird Strike
- Thread starter ddrewry
- Start date
Carbine31
New member
Timmonsville, SC
- Aircraft Year
- 1993
- Aircraft Type
- 114B/115
- Reg Number
- N114VC
- Serial Number
- 14581
Re: Bird Strike
It will definetly get your attention. About 15 years ago, flying back in my Grumman Cheetah from a night Clemson football game, had something happen that I would not have thought possible.
It was midnight, severe clear, airspeed 125 knots, altitude 9500' with the air so calm you could not tell we were moving. My friend in the right front and our 2 young sons in back were sound asleep. We were over Lake Monticello just north of Columbia, SC when what was later determined to be Canada goose hit the windshield right in front of my friend's face. The sound was as loud as a shotgun blast, and obviously woke everyone up. There was no damage to the windshield or airframe and after the adrelaline rush subsided, the rest of the flight proceeded normally.
It was determined to be a goose based on the color and amount of down and goo that adhered to the windshield, approximately the size of a football. In addition, while on a daylight flight back from Sun N' Fun in Lakeland early the next year, cruising at 8500', I flew under a V formation of Canada geese that my passenger and I estimated were at 10,000'.
Without witnessing these experiences firsthand, I don't think anyone could have convinced me that geese could travel that high.
It will definetly get your attention. About 15 years ago, flying back in my Grumman Cheetah from a night Clemson football game, had something happen that I would not have thought possible.
It was midnight, severe clear, airspeed 125 knots, altitude 9500' with the air so calm you could not tell we were moving. My friend in the right front and our 2 young sons in back were sound asleep. We were over Lake Monticello just north of Columbia, SC when what was later determined to be Canada goose hit the windshield right in front of my friend's face. The sound was as loud as a shotgun blast, and obviously woke everyone up. There was no damage to the windshield or airframe and after the adrelaline rush subsided, the rest of the flight proceeded normally.
It was determined to be a goose based on the color and amount of down and goo that adhered to the windshield, approximately the size of a football. In addition, while on a daylight flight back from Sun N' Fun in Lakeland early the next year, cruising at 8500', I flew under a V formation of Canada geese that my passenger and I estimated were at 10,000'.
Without witnessing these experiences firsthand, I don't think anyone could have convinced me that geese could travel that high.
Georgetown, DE
- Aircraft Year
- 1975
- Aircraft Type
- 112-390
- Reg Number
- N1410J
- Serial Number
- 410
Re: Bird Strike
Glad you are ok Doug, I can imagine how scary that is. You should swap stories with Birdstrike Bill Bailey...3 more for him and he'll be an ace!
Glad you are ok Doug, I can imagine how scary that is. You should swap stories with Birdstrike Bill Bailey...3 more for him and he'll be an ace!
ddrewry
New member
Dayton, TX / Guntersville AL
- Aircraft Year
- 1976/75
- Aircraft Type
- 112/A
- Reg Number
- Former Owner N1460J & N1254J
Cincinnati, OH
- Aircraft Year
- 1998
- Aircraft Type
- 114TC/115TC
- Reg Number
- N114AD
- Serial Number
- 20020
Glad to hear you are OK and no major damage. Can be scary stuff. One of my strikes came through the prop at night during an approach. Was judged to be something the size of pigeon and just made a big mess. Saw just enough in the landing light to flinch before the bang. Hope my current nose art remains as-is going forward!
nruzic
New member
Hampton, VA
- Aircraft Year
- 1992
- Aircraft Type
- 114B/115
- Reg Number
- N114PW
- Serial Number
- 14542
Re: Bird Strike
Glad you're fine DD scary isn't it.
Carbine did you do your duty and report the Gees to the FAA - betcha geese were at 10,000 or above they didn't have transponders on nor had they filed to fly at an IFR altitude.
Glad you're fine DD scary isn't it.
Carbine did you do your duty and report the Gees to the FAA - betcha geese were at 10,000 or above they didn't have transponders on nor had they filed to fly at an IFR altitude.
Prentiss, MS
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N4959W
- Serial Number
- 14279
My plane is at Sturgis MI getting wing skin on out board section of right wing replaced from bird strike right now. Speical thanks to Pat and Betty Murphy for the hospitality and the place to stay.
Prentiss, MS
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N4959W
- Serial Number
- 14279
Prentiss, MS
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N4959W
- Serial Number
- 14279
Prentiss, MS
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N4959W
- Serial Number
- 14279
Done
milojevicp
New member
Ontario
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- Fulfilled Former Owner of C-GFNC
- Serial Number
- 14308
Re: Bird Strike
Geez Lonnie, good to see you kept your bird intact for the return to repair it. I can only imagine the impact noise and subsequent reaction. All the best to you,
Pete
Geez Lonnie, good to see you kept your bird intact for the return to repair it. I can only imagine the impact noise and subsequent reaction. All the best to you,
Pete
ddrewry
New member
Dayton, TX / Guntersville AL
- Aircraft Year
- 1976/75
- Aircraft Type
- 112/A
- Reg Number
- Former Owner N1460J & N1254J
Re: Bird Strike
Wow, i feel really lucky now! That skin replacement looks like a major rebuild, given the prices these days I'm surprised the insurance didn't total the airplane. Seems like thats their default answer these days. Who is doing the work for you?
I did hit a duck in a B52 one time during a low level run, wasn't much of a match though. But thats another story...
Wow, i feel really lucky now! That skin replacement looks like a major rebuild, given the prices these days I'm surprised the insurance didn't total the airplane. Seems like thats their default answer these days. Who is doing the work for you?
I did hit a duck in a B52 one time during a low level run, wasn't much of a match though. But thats another story...
Prentiss, MS
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N4959W
- Serial Number
- 14279
Re: Bird Strike
Well it all started when I was in a inverted 9G neg dive with a mig at a distance 2-3 feet when all of a sudden we heard a bump and looked on the right wing and nothing looked on the left wing and there was a racoon hanging on for dear life. Well the truth of the matter is when we were departing from French lick after fly-in this year must have hit a small bird. I never felt it nor heard it and neither did my wife or kids. My A&P took the wing tip off and and we bumped it out after my insurance got all information they needed. The pictures you saw is just from one days work by Williams. Lets just Keep the 9G neg dive story though it sure sounds better than hitting a little bird!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
Well it all started when I was in a inverted 9G neg dive with a mig at a distance 2-3 feet when all of a sudden we heard a bump and looked on the right wing and nothing looked on the left wing and there was a racoon hanging on for dear life. Well the truth of the matter is when we were departing from French lick after fly-in this year must have hit a small bird. I never felt it nor heard it and neither did my wife or kids. My A&P took the wing tip off and and we bumped it out after my insurance got all information they needed. The pictures you saw is just from one days work by Williams. Lets just Keep the 9G neg dive story though it sure sounds better than hitting a little bird!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
Sherman
New member
Columbia MD & Goldvein VA
- Aircraft Year
- 1978
- Aircraft Type
- 112TCA
- Reg Number
- N112HT
- Serial Number
- 13254
Re: Bird Strike
Glad everyone OK (Doug/Lonnie & family). I had two bird incidences. Very Very scary at the 'moment of impact'. Once just missed hitting a Canadian Goose at 9,500 near Williamsburg PA (like it matters where we are were) and once also at night a bird hit the windscreen right in front (sbove) my vision. And they don't even need US/FAA licenses, flight plans, radar. ADS-B TISB equipt.
One thing +: these sharings help us understand that the windscreens ARE very impact resistant. We can all imagine. (mentally image the serious consequences) if they were like when a deer hits a car windshield?
Again- glad all well, metal can be replaced. We can't and still enjoy our Commanders.
Doug- another Commander adventure; Lonnie- best to you & your beautiful family!
Glad everyone OK (Doug/Lonnie & family). I had two bird incidences. Very Very scary at the 'moment of impact'. Once just missed hitting a Canadian Goose at 9,500 near Williamsburg PA (like it matters where we are were) and once also at night a bird hit the windscreen right in front (sbove) my vision. And they don't even need US/FAA licenses, flight plans, radar. ADS-B TISB equipt.
One thing +: these sharings help us understand that the windscreens ARE very impact resistant. We can all imagine. (mentally image the serious consequences) if they were like when a deer hits a car windshield?
Again- glad all well, metal can be replaced. We can't and still enjoy our Commanders.
Doug- another Commander adventure; Lonnie- best to you & your beautiful family!
Georgetown, DE
- Aircraft Year
- 1975
- Aircraft Type
- 112-390
- Reg Number
- N1410J
- Serial Number
- 410
Re: Bird Strike
Glad it turned out better for our people...knock wood no one else has the opportunity to affirm!
Mythbusters did a show once on this, air cannoned a chicken into a junk Cherokee windscreen. Went through it as if it was tissue paper. Scared the bejeezus out of me.
Glad it turned out better for our people...knock wood no one else has the opportunity to affirm!