What happened
The incident occurred during a nighttime approach to runway 07. As the aircraft was descending for landing, a deer crossed directly in front of the flight path. The pilot reacted promptly by applying additional power to abort the immediate impact with the first animal. However, shortly after this maneuver, a second deer entered the runway environment. This second animal made contact with the airplane structure, specifically shearing off the left main landing gear. The loss of structural integrity in the landing gear assembly led to further damage as the aircraft completed its landing sequence.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage confirmed that the primary mechanical failure originated from wildlife impact. The left main landing gear was found detached from the airframe, consistent with a high-energy collision with an animal. Additional structural damage was noted in the area surrounding the landing gear well and associated systems, resulting directly from the gear's loss during the final phase of flight.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates that wildlife hazards on the runway environment were the primary factor in this incident. The pilot's initial decision to add power successfully avoided the first animal but placed the aircraft in a vulnerable configuration for the second encounter. The loss of the left main landing gear was a direct consequence of striking the second deer. No other mechanical failures or weather-related issues contributed to the outcome.