Cessna 172S accident near Morgan Hill, California, June 11, 2026
On June 11, 2026 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 2014 Cessna 172S, registered N55231, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Morgan Hill, California. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight collision with a bird.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 11, 2026 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Morgan Hill, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S, built 2014 · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N55231 · registry record · serial 172S11414
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported that during a training flight, while performing maneuvers at 1,200 ft mean sea level, they observed a large bird to the right of the airplane. The pilot maneuvered to avoid the bird; however, the bird collided with the right wing, which resulted in substantial damage. Following the bird strike, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and landed uneventfully.
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 maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on equipment
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 543.3 hours in all; 515.3 in this make and model; 96.1 in the last 90 days; 19.3 in the last 30 days; 450.8 as pilot in command; 205.3 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 2, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter
- Flight time: 263.4 hours in all; 263.4 in this make and model; 52.7 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 171 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 13, 2026
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,148 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 7, 2026; 71.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,558 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 3,536 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RHV San Jose CA at 9:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 11 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 3:30 pm from KE16, 3 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KE16 112230Z AUTO 20011G16KT 8SM -RA CLR 31/13 A2980 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of accident airplane
Photograph 2 – View of right wing damage
Photograph 3 – View of right wing damageThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on August 27, 2026. 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- Flight Instructor | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1- Pilot | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N55231 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.