What happened
The aircraft was conducting an arrival procedure at the airport. The pilot flew over the runway threshold before circling back to establish a landing configuration. As the pilot flared the aircraft for touchdown, two deer were observed on the runway surface. In response to this hazard, the pilot initiated a go-around maneuver. However, the pilot determined that the aircraft was too slow and that there was insufficient runway remaining to complete the climb safely. Consequently, the pilot reduced engine power and allowed the aircraft to touch down. The aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining length of the runway. It continued past the end of the paved surface and collided with small trees and rocks located beyond the runway boundary.
The investigation
The physical evidence indicated that the aircraft sustained damage consistent with a runway overrun and subsequent impact with terrain obstacles. The sequence of events suggests a critical decision point during the landing phase where the pilot assessed the lack of speed and available distance as insurmountable for a safe go-around, leading to a continued descent and touchdown on the compromised runway.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this incident were the presence of wildlife on the active runway and the pilot's decision-making process during the landing phase. The inability to stop within the available runway length highlights the risks associated with low-speed operations near the end of a runway when unexpected obstacles are encountered. The impact with trees and rocks resulted from the aircraft exiting the designated runway area.