The pilot reported that during the landing roll at the airport in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, the Learjet 31 hit two deer.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the left wing.
According to the FAA, Airport/Facility Directory for the accident airport, deer may be located on, and in vicinity of the airport.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause: The airplane’s collision with deer during the landing roll.
NTSB Identification: GAA18CA155
This March 2018 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.
About forty years ago I was flying into the Prince George airport. Traffic control told me there was no one else in the area but that a coyote was loitering in the middle of the runway. I asked the tower if he had any suggestions. He said buzz it, which I assumed meant fly low and scare it, which is what I did. It took off so I went around and landed. The tower told me it really lit out.
The problem with deer is that they are really skittish and you never know what they are going to do. I have never encountered @ deer on the runway.
So the probable cause of hitting deer on the runway is hitting deer on the runway? I wonder how many highly trained, extremely experienced accident investigators it took to arrive at that conclusion!
How are the deer?
Oh deer!
Medium Rare and delicious I would think.