What happened
An on-demand air taxi operation was underway when the aircraft encountered a significant wildlife hazard during the initial phase of departure. The incident occurred at a private rural airstrip, where the pilot-in-command initiated the takeoff roll. During this critical ground phase, the aircraft collided with a moose.
Despite the impact, the two-pilot crew and the single onboard passenger sustained no injuries. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the leading edge of the aircraft's left wing. Rather than aborting the mission or seeking immediate maintenance at the departure field, the pilot-in-command made the decision to continue the flight. The aircraft successfully completed the journey to its original destination, located 30 nautical miles away, without any further incidents.
The investigation
The post-impact assessment confirmed that the primary structural compromise was limited to the left wing leading edge. The damage was classified as substantial, yet it did not prevent the aircraft from achieving flight or maintaining control. The decision to fly the damaged aircraft to the destination rather than diverting or canceling the trip highlights the pilot's assessment of the airworthiness and controllability of the plane under those specific conditions.
Findings
The primary factor in this event was the presence of large wildlife on the active runway environment. The substantial damage to the wing structure demonstrates the force of the impact, yet the aircraft remained flyable. The crew's safety record was maintained as all individuals were not injured. The successful completion of the 30 nautical mile leg indicates that the structural integrity, while compromised, was sufficient for continued flight operations.