Incident Summary
During takeoff, as the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 6 to 10 feet above ground level, the pilot reported that something struck the left propeller and the left side of the aircraft's nose. The pilot did not observe the object but assumed it was a large bird. His view was obstructed by darkness and the baggage door.
He aborted the takeoff. The aircraft touched down with about 300 feet of runway remaining, continued off the runway, traversed a low mound, and descended a steep incline into a mudflat. The aircraft came to rest in approximately 12 to 18 inches of water.
Baggage Door Examination
After the incident, the nose baggage door was found open. The latch was in the locked position, and the locking mechanism was also in the locked position.
Investigation Findings
No evidence of a bird strike was found on the aircraft.