BEECH A36 near Hazlehurst, GA — 2014-04-28

Probable cause

An inadvertent collision with wildlife while landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot approached his home airport on a long, straight-in, visual approach to land on a clear night with no wind. As the airplane touched down on the main landing gear, the pilot detected a "flash of brown" from his left and felt 3 rapid and distinct impacts before lowering the nose landing gear to the runway, which subsequently collapsed. The three occupants of the airplane egressed uninjured, and noted that the airplane had been substantially damaged. Several fatally injured deer were subsequently found on the runway. As a result of this investigation, the state department of transportation accelerated the planning and funding of a wildlife mitigation fence around the airport.

NTSB coding

• Wildlife encounter (non-bird) · Landing-flare/touchdown

Evidence available

• Photos
• 4 docket documents

Docket documents4

• Photo 1 – View of Wreckage as Foundphotos
• Photo 2 – View of Nose Gear Trunnionphotos
• Photo 3 – View of Left of Left Landing Gear Doorphotos
• Photo 4 – View of Left Wing Flapphotos

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