Runway excursion Accident Bellanca 7ECA N86586, Friday 6 September 2013

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Date:	Friday 6 September 2013
Time:	04:15 LT
Type:	Bellanca 7ECA
Owner/operator:	Stick
Registration:	N86586
MSN:	1005-74
Total airframe hrs:	1092 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-235 CI
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Delavan, Wisconsin - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	DELAVAN, WI (C59)
Destination airport:	Kenosha-Kenosha Municipal Airport, WI (ENW/KENW)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

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.

Probable Cause: The collision with a hawk during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and subsequent noseover.

Accident investigation: