Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during a personal flight, he added 6 gallons of fuel before takeoff, which he deemed sufficient for several hours of flying. He then proceeded to practice maneuvers in the local area. The pilot stated that no mechanical malfunctions occurred during the flight.
Bird Strike and Loss of Control
Approximately 45 minutes into the flight, while executing a turn, a brown bird suddenly appeared in the upper right corner of the windshield and collided with the aircraft. The impact broke out a portion of the windshield, causing the pilot to lose partial control of the airplane.
Forced Landing and Damage
Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot executed a forced landing in an open field. During the rollout over uneven terrain, the landing gear separated from the fuselage, and the fuselage became bent.
Investigation Findings
The pilot reported no mechanical issues prior to the bird strike. The incident was attributed solely to the collision with the bird, which compromised the windshield and led to the subsequent loss of control and forced landing.