NTSB Factual Report

The pilot stated that he departed from Orlando Sanford International Airport, Sanford, Florida, with a new student on a discovery flight. He further stated that after exiting class C airspace, as he initiated a climb, a turkey buzzard impacted the airplane's right wing causing damage. The damage caused the airplane to turn to the right and severely limited his ability to control the airplane. According to the pilot it placed the airplane in a descending right spiral. The pilot recovered the airplane from the spiral and made a forced landing to a nearby field. During the landing the nose wheel dug into the ground and separated bringing the airplane to a stop. According to the pilot, prior to the buzzard impacting the airplane's wing, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadvertent inflight collision with a bird resulting in damage to the airplane and the pilot having limited control capability.