What happened
On 4 March 2024, a Socata TB10, registered F-GJXO, was conducting an instructional flight near Béziers-Vias airport. The flight, operated by ENAC, included an instructor, a student pilot, and a passenger. While performing a left-hand 360-degree turn in a holding pattern north of the aerodrome, the aircraft encountered a group of storks.
As the student pilot leveled the wings, the instructor took control to attempt an avoidance maneuver. During this process, a stork struck the windshield with enough force to break the glass. The bird penetrated the cabin and came to rest in the left rear seat. The impact and resulting glass fragments caused injuries to the student pilot in the left seat. Despite the damage, the instructor confirmed the engine was functioning normally and the aircraft remained controllable. The crew requested a landing, which was completed without further incident, after which medical services were summoned.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's structural capabilities and the local environmental hazards. It was noted that the Socata TB10 was certified under older FAR 23 standards, which did not include specific windshield strength requirements for bird strikes. In contrast, modern EASA CS-23 standards for larger aircraft require windshields to withstand the impact of a two-pound bird without penetration.
Investigators also reviewed the bird hazard at Béziers-Vias airport. While the airport is located on major migration routes and bird activity is a known year-round factor, the specific hazard was not mentioned in the ATIS or by the air traffic controller during the flight. The instructor noted that while she was aware of bird hazards at this airport from previous experience, they had not been specifically reviewed during the pre-flight briefing for this particular leg.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a bird strike involving a stork during a holding maneuver.
- The impact was sufficient to penetrate the windshield and cause injury to the occupant of the left seat.
- The aircraft's certification standards at the time of manufacture did not mandate specific bird-strike resistance for the windshield structure.
- There was no active warning regarding bird hazards provided to the crew via ATIS or air traffic control communications during the flight.