Beech 200 King Air
New Braunfels, Texas/Injuries: 1 Serious
The pilot stated that the airplane was descending through 2,500 feet while at around 200 knots when a single bird struck the upper left corner of the pilot’s side windshield. The windshield was shattered and cracked by the impact. The pilot was seriously injured due to the flying glass that emanated from the broken inner ply’s surface, which impaired his vision. The passenger in the cabin moved into the copilot’s seat and, under the pilot’s instructions, safely landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained minor damage to the windshield. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have prevented normal operation of the aircraft.
PROBABLE CAUSE(S): The airplane’s in-flight collision with a bird.
Note: The report reproduced here is from the NTSB and is presented verbatim and in its complete form.
