What happened
On June 9, 2018, a Cessna 172, registration N383ME, was performing a takeoff from Danbury, CT, under visual meteorological conditions with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds at 320 degrees at 08 knots. During the initial climb phase, the aircraft struck a bird.
Following the strike, the flight instructor and the student returned to the airport. The aircraft landed without further complication. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the ribs of the left wing.
The investigation
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures present in the aircraft that would have prevented normal operation.