Bird Strike Incident Involving a Piper PA-28-181 in Navarra (EC-DBU)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 26 February 2000, a Piper PA-28-181 aircraft, registered EC-DBU and manufactured in 1977, was involved in a bird strike incident in Navarra, Spain. The aircraft was powered by a single Lycoming O-360-A4M engine and was operating under a local flight plan for general aviation pleasure purposes. The pilot, a 40-year-old male holding a private pilot license, was accompanied by three passengers. ## Operational Context and Weather Conditions The aircraft departed from Pamplona Airport under visual meteorological conditions. The weather was reported as CAVOK with calm winds and a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. During the climb phase, at an altitude of 3,500 feet and a speed of approximately 80 knots, the pilot observed a vulture approaching from the right side of the aircraft. ## Collision and Aftermath The pilot attempted an evasive maneuver by turning left, but the vulture impacted the right wing of the aircraft. Following the collision, the pilot returned to Pamplona Airport and landed without further incident. The impact caused minor damage to the leading edge and marginal of the right wing, which also affected the wing's structure. None of the four occupants were injured. ## Analysis and Context The investigation noted that the population of griffon vultures in the Iberian Peninsula had doubled in the previous decade, reaching 55,000 individuals by 1999. In Navarra, the population was estimated at approximately 1,000 pairs distributed across 63 colonies. The report highlighted that detecting such birds from the cockpit is difficult when their approach is not frontal, as was the case in this incident. Pilots are advised to exercise extreme caution when flying in areas with high bird activity.