Gulfstream G200 (IAI 1126 Galaxy)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; General Declared Emergency
Environment - Non Weather Related
[Event occurred] during a Charter flight; in a Gulfstream G200 with one passenger; two pilots and one Flight Attendant. The conditions were clear VMC and we were vectored for a visual approach. On short final a hawk flew in front of us and I decreased the descent to avoid hitting the hawk. Within approximately 15 seconds the right hydraulic system failed with numerous messages indicating the failure. We initiated a missed approach and the Tower gave us a vector and altitude. We notified the Tower of our problem and after we had been handed off to Departure ATC declared an emergency. After evaluating the situation we decided to leave the gear down; slats down; and flaps at 20. Then we decided it was best to go to [another airport] where there is a Gulfstream Service Center and [a long] runway. The Flight Attendant briefed the passenger on the circumstance and our intentions - then briefed for the emergency landing. We received excellent help from ATC along the route and decided to hold for a while to burn off extra fuel. During this time we notified [the company] of our situation and spoke with Maintenance and Gulfstream Tech Ops. ATC had made [the divert airport] aware of our problem and intentions - fire/rescue trucks and Gulfstream personnel with vans and a tow truck were waiting for us. We had plenty of time to go through the checklists several times and to discuss our options. When we felt that we had done all we could do and discussed this with [the company] and Tech Ops; and that the fuel level was sufficient for the landing; then we left the hold and started a visual approach. We reviewed the appropriate Landing Checklist - no brakes or anti-skid (only emergency brakes); no thrust reverser; and no nose wheel steering. We did put the flaps back to 40. Then we made the landing and all went well. The airplane was stopped on the runway and the fire trucks came; then we shut down the airplane and opened the door. Since there was no fire we decided to stay in the airplane. We walked around the airplane to see the damage and were told about the hawk hitting the right main gear and damaging the hydraulic lines. We discussed the situation with Gulfstream personnel in the warmth of the airplane while waiting for a tow truck to arrive to take the airplane to Gulfstream. The passenger was taken to [the FBO] in a van escorted by one of the pilots. A limo was arranged to take her back to [her planned destination]. She was frightened and shook up but thanked us all for getting there safely. The airplane gear was pinned (including the main gear) and the airplane was towed back to a hangar with a mechanic in the pilot seat. The rest of us rode to [the FBO] in a warm van. I filled out paperwork for the Fire/Rescue personnel basically stating what type airplane and who was on board.
The crew of the chartered G200 attempted to avoid a bird on short final; but was unsuccessful. The birdstrike caused damage to the hydraulic system; so the crew performed a missed approached. They elected to divert to another airport with a longer runway and better facilities. The landing was successful.