On August 9, 1991, a Cessna 402C (registration N161TA) operated by Sierra Nevada Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Grand Canyon, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inability to avoid an elk that entered the runway during takeoff, due to insufficient time to react while operating in darkness at an unfenced airport. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft struck an elk on the runway during takeoff at Grand Canyon Airport. The pilot reported insufficient time to avoid the animal as it entered the flight path in darkness.
What happened
The accident occurred during the hours of darkness at Grand Canyon Airport, which is situated in a heavily forested mountain area. The airport complex lacks fencing around its perimeter.
According to the pilot's account, the aircraft was accelerating down the runway for takeoff when it reached near rotation speed. At that moment, an elk suddenly ran onto the runway directly in front of the aircraft. The pilot stated there was not enough time to avoid hitting the animal.
Findings
Contributing factors included the unfenced airport environment and the low visibility conditions associated with nighttime operations in a wildlife-rich area.
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to avoid an elk that entered the runway during takeoff, due to insufficient time to react while operating in darkness at an unfenced airport.
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