What happened
During a flight intended for annual recurrent training, the pilot was conducting practice instrument approaches at Hernando County Airport. While climbing out at approximately 2,500 feet mean sea level and 120 knots indicated airspeed, the pilot observed a large bird fly past the windshield, followed by an impact. Despite the strike, there were no discrepancies noted in the flight controls.
The crew proceeded to the departure airport, where the Cessna was landed uneventfully. Upon securing the aircraft, a visual inspection revealed a dent in the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer. The following day, the aircraft departed for an airport on the east coast of Florida.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft identified that the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer was crushed near the left butt line 38.177. Further inspection revealed that the canted frame assembly (p/n 84246-800), located at fuselage station 311.382, was torn adjacent to the forward attach bolt of the left horizontal stabilizer. Additionally, an angle (p/n 84218-2) that is part of the canted frame assembly exhibited a missing section below and outboard of the forward attach bolt. Evidence of displacement between the forward attach $\text{attach}$ bolt of the left horizontal stabilizer and the canted frame assembly was also noted.
Personnel from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History identified the bird as a Black Vulture (Coryagyps atratus), which typically weighs between 42 and 75 ounces.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the left horizontal stabilizer leading edge.
- The impact caused tearing in the canted frame assembly and damage to an associated angle.
- There were no injuries reported.