On August 28, 1998, a Piper PA-32-260 (registration N4887S) was involved in an aviation accident near Sault Ste Marie, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the airplane and the runway marker. A factor contributing to this accident was the runway marker. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
While back taxiing on runway 16 for takeoff on runway 34, the pilot noticed a deer, taxied on the west side outside lights, looked back, then swerved and struck a runway marker.
Incident Overview
A pilot was back taxiing on runway 16 to position for takeoff on runway 34. During the taxi, the pilot observed a deer on the east side of the runway. To avoid the animal, the pilot taxied along the west side of the runway, just outside the runway lights.
Sequence of Events
While taxiing, the pilot looked back over his shoulder to check the deer's location. When he turned forward again, he realized the airplane was too close to the runway lights. The pilot swerved the airplane to the right, and the aircraft subsequently struck a runway marker.
Aircraft Examination
A post-incident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies.