During the takeoff roll, a hawk struck the Bellanca’s windscreen and then struck the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The plane veered to the right, exited the runway in Delavan, Wis., and nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder, while the pilot sustained minor injuries.
A post-accident examination revealed that the hawk had lodged between the vertical stabilizer and rudder, which interfered with the flight controls and deflected the rudder to the right.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the collision with a hawk during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and subsequent noseover.
NTSB Identification: CEN13CA528
This August 2013 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
LOL. Good stuff from these posts.
I agree, it’s all good
It may have been a Google Hawk.
That poor hawk, I’ll have to write President bo about the lack of emotional sensitivity the average GA pilot exhibits towards the now endangered hawk species and if this isn’t enough perhaps a new Executive Order banning all GA flights within 10nm of any hawk nest,( a new TFR), then for a pilot to re-new their medical, to have to undergo 6 weeks of nature sensitivity training at the EPA HQ’s in Washington D.C. at the pilot’s expense.
I wasn’t going to bring this up, but, we have a hawk locally that will set on the runway lights and race along side as we take off, I have seen this at a number of airports in the midwest, why do I mention this, since someone invoked the O factor here, it should be suggested that maybe this particular hawk, was actually suicidal and should not have been in the air at all.
The hawk might have been present at one of O’s speeches and just couldn’t take it anymore
Or at one of Billarys and the prospects were so horrid that he just couldn’t face them any longer. I think the NTSB really fumbled the bird on this one.
LOL
Did the hawk have a current medical certificate? Was it obese? Diabetic? What meds was it taking? Even if it had a medical certificate has the issuing AME been questioned about possible lying on the part of the hawk-applicant?
Landing lights on for takeoff and landing helps to cut down on birds strikes. And remember if a bird is confronted with a possible collision in flight with an aircraft it will almost certainly fold its wings and dive.
There’s no doubt the hawk had a 1st class physical since it had survived to adult hood. It also had no reason to use drugs (recreational or otherwise), dor did it have motivation to ‘fib a little’ when visiting the AME, since absent a clean bill of health it would starve. A suspicion lingers, however, that the hawk lacked adequate visual acuity for operations on or near an airport, though that could be debated since it was well fed. In any case, the quality and consistency of its depth perception, as well as its demonstratedly poor aeronautical decision, plus the outcome of the encounter with the aircraft appear to conclusively demonstrate it was justly a recipient of the Darwin Award. It remains my hope that none on forum will earn this same prestigious recognition.
Assuming the “hawk” weighed in at under 1,320 lbs (LSA?) he/she didn’t require a medical – and over the age of 17? But, then again, doesn’t one still have to have valid DRIVERS license?
AHA, I know now, it must have been an Alaskan hawk, just passing through, they have different rules.
Gentlemen: Assuming the hawk died from his/her injuries – the question remains – did the hawk have a will or passed intestate? This has the potential of a legal “can of worms” for the suvivors!
That also raises the question, was the Hawk properly certified and current for the operations, did he have proper identification and was he insured. What a Hawks nest his actions have stirred up.
Another lapse in basic pilot skills and knowledge, we need a program to properly educate hawks in basic right of way rules, clearly the Bellanca on take off role had the right of way, what was that Hawk thinking.
Pretty cold of you John. You should have inquired as to the injuries to the Hawk!
Since it was reported that the hawk was lodged between vertical and horizontal stabilizer, I just assumed that he was DOA, however being the sane, compassionate individual that I am, I apologize for my lapse.