What happened
On February 8, 2023, at approximately 13:02 UTC, a Cessna C172RG, registration OK-KKA, was conducting a commercial pilot skill test near the Jaroměř airfield (LKJA). The flight, operated by DSA a.s., was transitioning from Lomnice nad Popelkou toward Hradec Králové (LKHK). During a descent from 3,500ft to 1,800ft AMSL, the aircraft struck a large bird at an altitude of approximately 2,800ft.
The impact was with a female eagle, identified by an ornithologist as having a wingspan exceeding 2 meters. The force of the collision was sufficient to shatter the left side of the windshield, allowing the bird's remains to penetrate the cockpit. The impact caused the pilot-in-command (the student being examined) to sustain facial and neck injuries, including lacerations, and rendered him unable to continue controlling the aircraft. The examiner, seated in the right seat, was struck in the shoulder but remained uninjured.
Following the strike, the aircraft's flight characteristics deteriorated significantly due to high drag and lateral oscillations. Freezing air rushed into the cabin through the broken windshield. The examiner immediately declared a MAYDAY, took control of the aircraft, and managed the emergency descent. Despite the severe damage and the need for full engine power to maintain airspeed, the examiner successfully landed the aircraft on runway 15L at LKHK. Emergency services and airport firefighters met the aircraft on the runway to provide medical and technical assistance to the crew.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight profiles, crew qualifications, and environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The investigation established that the aircraft was in a good technical condition with all required inspections up to date. The crew members were both fully qualified and medically fit for the flight. The investigation also reviewed the meteorological data, noting that the weather was clear with high pressure, but the sun was positioned very low on the western horizon.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the collision with a large bird of prey.
- The low angle of the sun and the flight heading directly into bright sunlight significantly hindered the crew's ability to visually detect the bird before the impact.
- The kinetic energy of the 6kg bird at an airspeed of 120kts IAS was sufficient to breach the windshield and penetrate the cabin structure.