On June 30, 2000, a Cessna 402C (registration N7037E) was involved in an aviation accident near Naples, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The impact with a turkey buzzard, which resulted in damage to the vertical stabilizer. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported hearing a loud noise and feeling a shudder while descending to land at 2,000 feet. The aircraft remained controllable, allowing for an uneventful landing despite damage to the vertical stabilizer.
What happened
The pilot was operating the aircraft at an altitude of 2,000 feet while descending for a scheduled landing. At that moment, the pilot reported hearing a loud noise and feeling a distinct shudder throughout the airframe. Despite these sensations, the pilot noted that the flight controls remained responsive and unaffected by the event. Consequently, the pilot continued the descent and completed an uneventful landing.
The investigation
Following the landing, the pilot secured the aircraft and conducted an external inspection. A large turkey buzzard was found to have impacted the vertical stabilizer. A licensed aviation mechanic subsequently examined the airframe and determined that the vertical spar had been bent as a result of the collision.
Probable cause
The impact with a turkey buzzard, which resulted in damage to the vertical stabilizer.
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