Piper PA-28RT-201 accident near South Jordan, Utah, September 23, 2022
On September 23, 2022 at about 2:30 am local time, a 1979 Piper PA-28RT-201, registered N2919U, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near South Jordan, Utah (South Valley Regional airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inability to see and avoid a bird while landing in dark night conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 23, 2022 · about 2:30 am local time
- Place
- South Jordan, Utah · South Valley Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28RT-201, built 1979 · all PA-28RT-201s on the register
- Registration
- N2919U · registry record · serial 28R-7918220
- 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 final approach for the night landing, a bird struck and broke the right-side windshield, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot continued with the approach and landed without further incident. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Contributed to outcome
- 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 operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 105 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 65 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 29, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,939 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 15, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO360 SER A&C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: U42 West Jordan UT at 2:35 am
- Destination: U42 West Jordan UT
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 010° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 8:54 pm from KSLC, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSLC 230254Z 01004KT 10SM CLR 18/04 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP153 T01830039 53007
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on December 20, 2022. 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 | Photo of Substantial Damage | PDF, 1 page | 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.