THUNDERBIRD AVIATION INC
Also recorded as: THUNDERBIRD AVIATION INC, Thunderbird Aviation
Accident & enforcement record
Events that happened, regardless of the operator's own reporting. Each links to its public source.
NTSB accidents & incidents
Operated by Thunderbird Aviation (per NTSB report)
An in-flight collision with a bald eagle.
Operated by Thunderbird Aviation (per NTSB report)
The failure of airport personnel to correct a hazardous condition on the airport. A factor was the uncovered manhole.
Operated by THUNDERBIRD AVIATION (per NTSB report)
THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND REMAINING BELOW A PROPER GLIDE PATH DURING FINAL APPROACH. THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPEREINCE WAS A FACTOR.
FAA enforcement actions
No FAA enforcement actions linked to this operator.
Maintenance disclosure history
Service Difficulty Reports are self-reported maintenance findings. The NUMBER of reports is not a measure of reliability — diligent operators file more, not fewer. These are shown for transparency, not as a negative signal. To verify a report, search its control number at the FAA SDRS site.
Reports span 2013–2014. Most-reported systems: Wings (57) — 1; ATA 85 — 1. Most-common natures of condition, as filed: OTHER — 1; PARTIAL RPM/PWR LOSS; SMOKE/FUMES/ODORS/SPARKS — 1.
2 reports on file.
Part: CYLINDER HEAD — SEPARATED (ENGINE)
AFTER TAKEOFF AND JUST LEAVING THE PATTERN THE NR 3 CYLINDER CAME APART. THE FRACTURE POINT WAS ABOUT MID CYLINDER. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THEY CALLED THE TOWER AND LANDED BACK ON THE FIELD WITHOUT INCIDENT.
Part: BOLT — CRACKED (RT WING) · airframe 10,779 hrs · 10,738 cycles
FOUND RIGHT WING LOWER FORWARD WING BOLT CRACKED DURING DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION, CRACK WAS JUST BELOW THE BOLT HEAD RADIUS, INSTALLED NEW BOLT
Linked aircraft
| N-number | Make / model | Year | Status | Link basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N23797 | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N332DE | BEECH C90 | 1975 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N3757Z | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N43745 | PIPER PA-28-161 | — | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N523PU | PIPER PA-28-161 | 1989 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N526PU | PIPER PA-28-161 | — | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N8082B | BAILEY RICHARD L HIPERLIGHT | 2000 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N8107X | PIPER PA-34-200T | 1979 | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
Aircraft with earlier records under this certificate
Maintenance and accident records on this page also cover aircraft that are not in this operator's current FAA fleet list. Charter and management fleets change — owners switch management companies, sell, or export aircraft. Where the registry shows what became of a tail, it is noted below.
- N92505 (PIPER PA-28-181) — records 2014 · registered to THUNDERBIRD AVIATION INC (owner ≠ operator)
- N526PU (PIPER PA-28-161) — records 2013 · registered to KANTOCH MARK M (owner ≠ operator)
- N523PU (PIPER PA-28-161) — records 2008 · registered to METRO AIRCRAFT CO (owner ≠ operator)
- N23797 — records 1994 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N3757Z — records 1986 · no longer on the FAA registry
- N8082B (BAILEY RICHARD L HIPERLIGHT) — records 1985 · registered to MAY JOHN D (owner ≠ operator)
- N8107X (PIPER PA-34-200T) — records 1982 · registered to STOCKHAUSEN IGNATIUS (owner ≠ operator)
- N43745 (PIPER PA-28-161) — records 1982 · registered to COYLE ANDREW J (owner ≠ operator)