Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 107; Flight Crew Total 6390; Flight Crew Type 2170
Ground Event / Encounter Object; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
Departing LVK during climbout at approx 4800 feet we felt a bump in the airframe; and heard a thud. No other anomalies were noted; and after discussion and evaluation of the aircraft instruments and visual areas of the airframe; we continued on to destination. After landing I examined the aircraft and found a 3 inch long damaged area on the lower nose cowl; and scratch marks on the back of 2 of the 3 propeller blades near the propeller root and at a position consistent with the nose damage. No other damage was noted. The aircraft was subsequently inspected by an Inspection Authority (IA) [mechanic] and confirmed to be airworthy.I believe we struck a small UAV being operated in the vicinity of the Del Valle reservoir; in violation of the applicable FARs. If the device had been 1 foot higher; it likely would have impacted the windshield with devastating results.
Single engine small aircraft pilot reports a collision with an object; possibly a small UAV; at 4;800 feet over the Del Valle reservoir after departing LVK. Scratches on the cowling and two of the three propeller blades were noted on post flight.