Incident Overview
The airplane was in cruise flight at an altitude of 6,000 feet above ground level when a bird strike occurred. The birds impacted the top center section of the windscreen, shattering it and entering the cockpit. The pilot immediately declared an emergency with Air Traffic Control and requested an IFR clearance to return to the departure airport. The clearance was approved, and the airplane proceeded without further incident, landing safely at the departure airport.
Pilot and Aircraft Status
The pilot reported no injuries. The aircraft, after landing, underwent examination which revealed substantial damage. The vertical stabilizer sustained structural damage and required replacement. No other details about the aircraft type, registration, or additional damage were specified in the source.
Damage Assessment
Examination of the airplane following the incident confirmed substantial damage. Specifically, the vertical stabilizer suffered structural damage necessitating replacement. The windscreen was destroyed by the bird impact, and the birds entered the cockpit, though no further details on cockpit conditions or other components were provided.