What happened
During a straight-in approach to Runway 14 at Wilmington, DE, at night, an aircraft encountered a bird strike while descending through 1800 feet MSL. The incident occurred approximately 7 miles from the airport. Following the impact, the pilot reported experiencing a loss of electrical power, yaw control difficulties, and a partial loss of engine power. As the aircraft approached the airport, the engine began to lose further power approximately one mile from the runway. Despite these complications, the pilot continued the approach and successfully landed the aircraft.
The investigation
Post-flight examination of the aircraft revealed physical damage caused by the bird strike. Specifically, the battery case, firewall, and wings sustained damage. Additionally, investigators found debris within the engine air inlet resulting from the impact.