In-flight collision with object, SOCATA TB-10 Tobago, VH-YTG, Parafield Airport, South Australia, on 11 July 2017

At about 1800 Central Standard Time^[1] on 11 July 2017, a SOCATA TB-10 Tobago aircraft, registered VH-YTG, was conducting a scheduled night flying lesson at Parafield airport, near Adelaide, South Australia. On final approach and at about 500 ft above ground level, the aircraft’s right wing struck an object. The instructor heard a loud thud and the right wing suddenly dropped. He radioed the control tower requesting a full stop landing, as they might have hit a bird.

After landing, the instructor conducted an inspection of the aircraft and found minor damage to the right wing. As there were no visible signs of biological matter, he contacted the control tower and reported the incident as a possible drone strike.

Figure 1: VH-YTG showing damage

Source: ATSB

Figure 2: Overhead image highlighting identified surface marks

Source: ATSB

The ATSB conducted an inspection of the aircraft, and swab samples of the impact area were taken by the airport operator, and sent to the Australian Museum for DNA testing. The subsequent DNA test results indicated the sample was most consistent with that of a grey-headed flying-fox, from the bat family. 

The ATSB has assessed that there is little potential for the enhancement of transport safety through further investigation of this occurrence. The ATSB has discontinued the investigation.

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1. Central Standard Time (CST): Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) + 9.5 hours.