ERA12CA592

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, he noticed two deer on the right side of the runway that were moving into the path of the airplane. He announced to abort the takeoff and applied maximum braking aborting the takeoff, but the airplane subsequently struck a deer with the right wing resulting in substantial damage to the spar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Airport personnel indicated that deer are not a known problem at the airport, and that postaccident discussions between airport personnel and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are underway to install a full airport perimeter fence. In addition, the airport readjusted the agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Management Division in order to improve wildlife hazard mitigation strategies. According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, he noticed two deer on the right side of the runway that were moving into the path of the airplane. He aborted the takeoff and applied maximum braking, but the airplane subsequently struck a deer with the right wing, resulting in substantial damage to the spar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Airport personnel indicated that deer are not a known problem at the airport and that postaccident discussions between airport personnel and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are underway to install a full airport perimeter fence. In addition, the airport readjusted the agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Management Division in order to improve wildlife hazard mitigation strategies. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Ability to respond/compensate - C