I've posted this before, but since it refers to a safety issue with this model it bears repeating. Let's be careful out there.
NTSB Identification: BS012345
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, April 1, 2006 in Columbia, MO
Aircraft: Beech C24R (Sierra) Registration: N222SL
Injuries: 2 Uninjured
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On April 1, 2006, at 1231 CST, a Beech C24R (Sierra), N222SL, piloted by a private pilot, was damaged during an in-flight collision north of Columbia, Missouri. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Whiteman approach observed a large radar return believed to be a flock of migratory waterfowl. The controller informed the pilot of the radar return, which was located immediately north of the aircraft flight path and was moving in an E-SE direction. The pilot acknowledged and immediately afterward requested a course deviation to the south to avoid a cumulus build up. The controller approved deviations as-needed and subsequently informed the pilot that the radar return had also altered course and was now at his 6 o-clock position and approximately 2 miles. The pilot informed Whiteman approach that he was going to make a 90 deg turn momentarily to “take a look”. The airplane turned to the west, then immediately returned to a southerly heading. At 1224 The pilot confirmed he had visual contact with a very large flock of Canadian geese at his same altitude. At 1227 Whiteman approach informed the pilot that the radar return appeared to be overtaking the aircraft and requested the pilot to “say airspeed”. The pilot responded that he was increasing power and asked for a descent. Whiteman approved altitude and course deviations as-needed. The aircraft was observed to descend but no appreciable speed increase was noted. At 1231 the aircraft was struck in the empennage and trailing edge of the left wing by an estimated 7 geese, damaging the rudder and left aileron. The pilot executed an emergency landing at Columbia MO (COU) airport. The pilot and one passenger were uninjured. The flight departed Kansas City Downtown Airport (MKC) at1015. The intended destination was St. Louis Spirit Airport (SUS).
