Incident Overview
During the takeoff roll, just after reaching rotation speed, a deer bolted across the runway from right to left, striking the left wing of the aircraft. The pilot reported needing full right aileron and rudder input to maintain control until the aircraft reached a low cruise speed.
Damage Assessment
Inspection revealed that the middle third of the left wing's leading edge was crushed aft. Despite the damage, the pilot elected to continue the flight to a larger airport, where the aircraft landed without further incident.
Runway Environment
The departure runway, where the collision occurred, is situated between two wooded areas located approximately 600 and 1,100 feet from the runway edge. The airport lacked a perimeter fence, which allowed deer to enter the runway environment.
Mitigation Measures
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration, in coordination with the accident airport's state and county authorities, agreed to install a perimeter fence designed to prevent deer from straying onto airport property.