What happened
On 13 November 2000, a Piper PA-28-180, registration G-AVSF, was performing a private cross-country flight from Blackbushe. While cruising at 2,300 feet in good visual meteorological conditions, the pilot was navigating a route intended to track north of the South Downs. During the flight, the pilot observed a large object pass through the 10 to 11 o'clock position, followed immediately by a loud impact and a physical shudder through the airframe. The pilot identified the object as a large bird, possibly a buzzard or an immature gull, falling away from the aircraft.
Although the aircraft initially appeared to be performing normally, the airspeed indicator reading subsequently dropped to zero during an orbital maneuver. Recognizing that the impact had likely compromised the pitot system, the pilot decided to terminate the flight and return to Blackbushe. To ensure the aircraft's safety, the pilot performed a low approach and a go-around to allow tower personnel to inspect for further damage before completing a landing using full flaps.
The investigation
Following the incident, an inspection of the aircraft was conducted to assess the extent of the damage. The investigation established that the impact had caused a dent in the leading edge of the left wing, located inboard of the stall warning vane. Furthermore, the inspection revealed that the pitot head had been ripped off the left wing, resulting in additional damage to the underwing surface at the pitot attachment points.