Incident Overview
A flight instructor and a dual student were preparing for a local night flight when the air traffic control tower alerted them about several deer walking on the airport. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that a landing aircraft had confirmed the runway was clear of wildlife, so they proceeded to taxi into position for takeoff.
Takeoff Attempt
As the aircraft accelerated and approached rotation speed, the pilots observed two deer on the runway directly ahead. The CFI immediately reduced engine power and veered the aircraft to the right in an attempt to avoid a collision. Despite this evasive maneuver, the tail section of the aircraft struck one of the deer.
Aftermath
The CFI subsequently taxied the aircraft back to the parking area. No further details about the condition of the aircraft or the deer were provided in the source.
Contributing Factors
No official cause or contributing factors were stated in the investigation source. The incident highlights the challenges of wildlife encounters during night operations, but no analysis or conclusions are offered here beyond the factual account given.