What happened
The aircraft was attempting to depart from an unconventional location described as a narrow driveway. During the initial phase of the ground roll, the pilot encountered a deer in the path of the aircraft. In an effort to avoid striking the animal, the pilot initiated a sharp left turn.
This evasive maneuver proved difficult to execute safely due to several compounding environmental factors. The sun was positioned directly in the pilot's line of sight, causing significant glare that likely impaired visibility. Additionally, the surface of the driveway was covered with a mixture of snow and mud, creating slippery conditions that reduced traction and made precise control of the aircraft challenging.
As the airplane banked to the left, the left wingtip struck a fence post located near the edge of the driveway. The collision resulted in damage to the left wing structure. The pilot reported that the combination of visual obstruction from the sun and the reduced friction on the ground contributed to the difficulty in maintaining control during the critical takeoff phase.
The investigation
The primary focus of the examination was the nature of the departure and the specific circumstances leading to the contact with the fence post. Investigators noted the unusual choice of a narrow driveway for takeoff operations, which limited the available lateral space for maneuvering. The condition of the ground surface was also assessed, confirming the presence of snow and mud that would affect tire grip and directional stability.
Findings
The accident was caused by the pilot's attempt to avoid a deer during takeoff on a narrow, obstructed surface. Contributing factors included:
- sun glare impairing the pilot's vision
- slick conditions from snow and mud reducing control effectiveness
- limited lateral clearance due to the narrow driveway
The pilot's decision to maneuver in such confined space under poor visibility and traction conditions led to the loss of directional control and subsequent collision with a stationary object.