This is an excerpt from a report made to the Aviation Safety Reporting System. The narrative is written by the pilot, rather than FAA or NTSB officials. To maintain anonymity, many details, such as aircraft model or airport, are often scrubbed from the reports.
I was landing at ZZZ in my RV-4. This was my third landing of the morning. The first two landings were perfect and uneventful. On the third landing the approach and touchdown appeared normal then suddenly, when on the runway, the airplane veered to the right and then entered a ground loop. The runway was closed to all traffic at that time.
Upon inspection of the runway a dead Prairie Dog was found in the vicinity of where I landed. It appears as though my right main tire struck the Prairie Dog, which caused me to veer to the right. There were no injuries.
The right main landing gear collapsed and the propeller did contact the ground.
Prairie Dogs have been observed on a regular basis at this airport.
Primary Problem: Aircraft
ACN: 1839383
An accurate rifle all every grass strip will eliminate such hazards.
Without the rodents the larger birds will feed elsewhere.
If the airport doesn’t/ can’t shoot at least run on the grass s a loud Harley several times daily.
I always use the parallel the outbound side method when I enter my ground loops.
He had just don’t two take-offs and landings.
DONE 2
“There were no injuries.” The prairie dog probably would not agree!
Must’ve been one buff prairie dog.
You’re absolutely right, Mr.Kevin Garrison.
Suuuuure–the old “have an accident and plant a dead prairie dog at the scene trick.” Well played. I carry one around at all times. Strapped to my leg. Before NTSB and the FAA get there, bam, there’s the culprit, on the ground. They never suspect it was “planted.” I also carry a large, inflatable (CO2 cartridge) life-like grizzly bear in the back of the aircraft, in case of a “kinda big” accident. Helpful hint: don’t inflate the bear prior to taking it out of the aircraft.
Mr. Sniffles, killed by an out-of-control RV-4 pilot was remembered by friends at the airport as a “calm and gentle soul” who did not deserve to die like a love bug splatted on a windshield. In lieu of flowers please send tasty carrots to his family in care of GAN.