Piper Aircraft INC PA-28-181 accident near Wheeler Heights, Georgia, October 11, 2021
On October 11, 2021 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 2020 Piper Aircraft INC PA-28-181, registered N263MG, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Wheeler Heights, Georgia (Macon Downtown airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The airplane’s impact with a bird while in the traffic pattern.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 11, 2021 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Wheeler Heights, Georgia · Macon Downtown · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper Aircraft INC PA-28-181, built 2020
- Registration
- N263MG · registry record · serial 2881361
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, a bird impacted the leading edge of the left wing, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing structure. The airplane was controllable and the pilot was able to land safely on the intended runway.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Birdstrike during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 205 hours in all; 130 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 158 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 24, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 767 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 21, 2021
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 614 hours total
- Operator: Middle Georgia State University
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10/2, 4,694 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from MCN, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMCN 111553Z 06006KT 10SM CLR 24/19 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP163 T02440189
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on December 21, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.