Roo downs plane in country Vic

A Regional Express flight to Melbourne was cancelled after the plane hit a stray kangaroo on the runway.

The 34-seat passenger plane hit the roo in the pre-dawn dark at Mildura Airport on Thursday.

"Our aircraft hit the kangaroo as it was taking off, which has damaged the right-hand propellor," Regional Express spokeswoman Alicia Chapple told AAP.

"This is the first (roo strike incident) that I've heard of in almost four years here, so it is rare."

Passengers on the cancelled 6.30am flight had to wait instead for the 10.20am flight.

The plane, a Saab 340 turbo-prop, will remain out of service until it is assessed by engineers and the damage fixed.

The fate of the roo is unknown though Ms Chapple said it appeared "not good".