Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 238; Flight Crew Type 29
Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Environment - Non Weather Related
Flight originated from ZZZ via IFR flight plan. Initial point of landing ZZZ1. Aircraft landed at ZZZ1; fueled at FBO. Aircraft departed in left downwind. Aircraft autopilot was selected on to climb aircraft at 100 kts. direct to ZZZ VOR. Upon level off at 7;500 ft.; cruise checklist was completed. [About 15 minutes later]; loud 'thud' was heard. Pilot flying initially believed passenger in rear had dropped large item; which was not the case. Instructor Pilot pulled out flashlight to inspect right side aircraft wing. Upon inspection of left side wing; Pilot Flying noticed 2 of the 4 vortex generators missing as well as a black mark. Pilot Flying and Instructor deemed the safest option would be to discontinue flight and return to ZZZ1. TRACON was notified of situation and provided assistance. TRACON closed VFR flight plan upon request. Aircraft entered left downwind. Instructor Pilot took control of aircraft for approach to landing phase. Aircraft was forced to land over maximum landing weight. After shutdown; pilot and Instructor were able to confirm 2 of 4 vortex generators had gone missing; crack visible on aircraft surface and patch of aircraft missing. Blood splatter was visible across entire left side of aircraft. Propeller had no visible damage.
Pilot reported a bird strike resulted in aircraft damage.