Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 9; Flight Crew Total 1292; Flight Crew Type 969
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
At 1;000 FT AGL a moderately large dark colored bird flew directly into our path; resulting in a bird strike. The strike shattered the windscreen; with most parts penetrating into the cockpit causing four or five minor cuts/scratches to the pilot and passenger. The aircraft remained flyable and controllable. The pilot chose to continue approach to [the planned airport] as it was the nearest approach and was already set up for landing on the active runway. The pilot then radioed a Mayday on UNICOM; describing the bird strike; loss of windscreen; no injuries; and intent to continue the straight-in approach. The landing was hard due to loss of elevator authority; but within normal performance. We then taxied to tie-down and secured airplane. Preliminary post-flight inspection showed bird impact on propeller; complete destruction of windscreen and damage to the magnetic compass. There were no obvious remains of the bird in the aircraft. Apparent injuries were limited to 4-5 small cuts and scrapes not requiring medical attention. No medical attention was sought.
The pilot of a C172 and his passenger were slightly injured when a bird strike caused the windscreen to shatter and pieces to penetrate into the cockpit. The pilot was able to maintain control and land at the planned destination airport.