What happened
On 2 July 2015, a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, registration G-RVNB, was conducting a circuit training flight at Liverpool Airport. The flight was being operated by an instructor in the right seat and a student pilot in the left seat. During a flapless final approach to Runway 27, at an altitude of approximately 650 ft and a speed between 80-90 KIAS, the aircraft encountered a flock of grey pigeons.
The instructor, who had activated the window heat in anticipation of summer birdstrike risks, observed the birds ahead and to the right of the aircraft's nose. The aircraft subsequently struck between four and five birds. While the windscreen remained intact, one bird impacted the right side window, causing it to break and resulting in no injuries to the crew, though the instructor sustained bruising to the shoulder.
The aircraft completed the flapless landing and successfully vacated the runway. A subsequent inspection of the aircraft revealed evidence of birdstrikes on the wing, the cowlings, and within the engine bay.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot and further enquiries. The investigators examined the circumstances of the approach and the impact of the birds on the aircraft structure. The investigation also noted the use of cockpit heating as a preventative measure against windscreen breakage during bird strikes.