Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, a deer struck the left side of the aircraft's empennage. The impact caused a violent yaw to the left, but the airplane continued to fly. Passengers seated in the rear used a flashlight to inspect the damage, discovering that the left horizontal stabilizer, elevator, and empennage had been damaged.
Pilot Response
Concerned about potential tail flutter and the risk of stalling, the pilot decided to maintain an airspeed of 100 knots. He continued flying in the same direction toward the nearest airport, where he could execute a straight-in landing and where emergency services were available. The landing was uneventful.
Damage Assessment
The deer strike resulted in damage to the left horizontal stabilizer, elevator, and empennage. No other damage was reported. The aircraft was able to continue flying safely to the airport.