On October 21, 2000, about 1140 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-44-180, N928ER, registered to and operated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight experienced a bird strike while en route to Daytona Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The commercial-rated flight instructor, and dual student were not injured. The flight originated from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, the same day, about 1000. The flight instructor stated that the aircraft was in level flight, at an altitude of about 2,000 feet, when a large bird impacted the outboard section of the right wing's leading edge. The instructor further stated that after the impact, he saw a hole in the leading edge of the wing, so he declared an emergency, took control of the airplane from the student, and executing a precautionary landing at Spruce Creek, Florida. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the aircraft as a result of the bird strike.