BELLANCA 7ECA
Delavan, WI — September 6, 2013
Event Information
| Date | September 6, 2013 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN13CA528 |
| Event ID | 20130906X94639 |
| Location | Delavan, WI |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 42.63389, -88.60111 |
| Airport | Lake Lawn Airport |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | BELLANCA |
| Model | 7ECA |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | NITE |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The collision with a hawk during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and subsequent noseover.
Full Narrative
During the takeoff roll, a hawk struck the airplane's windscreen and then struck the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The airplane veered to the right, exited the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. A postaccident 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. There were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.