On June 20, 1997, a Ross/stonecipher VANS RV-6 (registration N345JE) was involved in an aviation accident near Woods Cross, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: a bird strike, which penetrated the aircraft canopy. High grass (hay crop) in the forced landing area was a related factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
While initiating a go-around at 100 feet, a bird struck and penetrated the canopy, hitting the pilot. The pilot chose to land in a hay field, where the aircraft flipped over.
Incident Overview
An aircraft was in the process of a go-around at 100 feet above ground level when it collided with a bird on the pilot's side of the canopy. The bird penetrated the plexiglass and struck the pilot in the face.
Pilot Actions
In response to the strike, the pilot reduced engine power and cleared his vision. Assessing the situation, he determined that landing on the remaining runway would lead to an overrun into fences and deep ditches. He then attempted to continue the go-around but noticed an increase in aircraft vibration. Deciding against proceeding, he opted to land the aircraft in a hay field located just beyond the departure end of the runway.
Forced Landing and Outcome
The hay field had grass approximately 2 feet high. During the forced landing, the aircraft flipped over. No further details about the aircraft's condition or occupants were provided.
An X-AIR HAWK ultralight crashed in Chonburi, Thailand, killing the pilot and injuring a passenger. The accident was caused by deteriorated wing fabric and…
A Challenger II Special ultralight aircraft (U-B23) landed off-runway at Pai Airport, Mae Hong Son, on September 17, 2024, due to a gust of wind. No injuries…
The Polish aviation safety authority is investigating a serious incident involving an AT-3R100 aircraft that occurred on September 2, 2024. The investigation…
A SZD-48-3 glider suffered damage when its left wing struck a ground obstacle during a low final approach at EPWK on June 20, 2025. The pilot was uninjured.
A 39-year-old skydiver died after a hard landing near Leszno on May 1, 2026. The PKBWL preliminary report indicates the fatal impact resulted from a late,…
A student pilot crashed an SZD-50-3 Puchacz glider into the airfield fence during a solo training flight on June 6, 2026. The pilot was uninjured, but the…