The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped Cessna 140 was attempting to depart from the runway at the airport in Luray, Va., when a deer suddenly began approaching the runway from the left.
He attempted to steer the airplane left to avoid the deer as it crossed, and in the process, it departed the left side of the runway.
The pilot was unable to stop the plane as it rolled and struck an embankment and collapsed the main landing gear, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as a loss of control and subsequent runway excursion while attempting to avoid a collision with a deer on takeoff.
NTSB Identification: ERA14CA412
This August 2014 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
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So can you imagine what a deer strike would do to an airplane? wow that would not be pity.
I hit my deer square He destroyed my grill, and every thing behind it, & even the battery. The car came to a test in the road in the lines & never went over the lines. The doors was pined shut. So I rolled down the windows & had to clime out. The deer was down till just about the police came. Then It staggered up and
ran off into the woods.
“approaching suddenly”? These words don’t seem to go together. Maybe “noticed suddenly”.
I’ve seen the airport environment there and the green vegetation isn’t high enough to “hide” an approaching deer. Possibly the vegetation is more the color of a deer in August.
This accident description makes me realize I should scan the whole area ahead before takeoff, not just the confines of the runway pavement. I would hope that I would have seen the deer in time to brake had I looked.
There are these tiny horns/whistles that make a sound that can’t be heard by humans but can be heard by deer causing them to run away from the sound but I suppose it would take an STC from the FAA to attach one with a self tapping screw somewhere on the airplane. Works on cars and trucks. Just a thought.
While driving a ground vehicle the advice I’ve read/heard is DON’T attempt to avoid hitting a deer, cow, coyote, porcupine, rabbit, etc. that might run across the road in front of you. Hit it square. Damage is often less, and the very likely loss of control accident (with major damage as the vehicle flips) is avoided. FWIW, I think that’s good advice for hitting a deer on the runway. Pop the flaps to get premature lift and fly over the four legged FOD if you have enough energy, but NEVER swerve or attempt other evasive maneuvers! Worst case and you hit the deer head on, at least the frame, wings, and rigging aren’t as likely to be tweaked. And because the aircraft is involved in an accident with other damage insurance will help with engine tear down and prop damage. Plus, really serious damage and potential injuries to you and Pax are likely to be minimized because force vectors will push you into the restraints, rather than banging your unprotected head against the frame. Potential for flail injuries might also be reduced.
“ATTENTION: Deer-xing – Takeoff and land at your (or Geico’s?) risk?”
I went hunting a deer with my 08 caliber jeep patriot. wow was that not a good out come. I came around a corner on 111A & he jumped right in my path. I was doing about 30mph. The damage that was done was tremendous. About $8 thousand dollars +. I had 5 frontend aliments & finally traded it in. Your decision to go into a ditch was probably the right on done in the heat of battle. Who knows what would have happen if you hit the thing. You might have taken home some deer meat or he might have taken you out.