What happened
During a night landing at a tower-operated, rural, mountaintop airport, an Embraer 120RT struck two deer on the runway. At the time of the accident, the skies were overcast and light snow was falling. The impact caused the tip of a propeller blade from the number 2 engine to separate, which subsequently punctured the airplane's fuselage.
Shortly before the accident occurred, a runway inspection had begun; however, the inspection vehicle had not yet reached the specific area where the collision took as happened.
Findings
Investigation of the airport perimeter revealed two breaches in the fence. While perimeter fence maintenance inspections were being performed on a monthly basis, they were scheduled to be increased during the fall and winter seasons to account for higher volumes of deer activity. Additionally, a program intended to clear all brush, weeds, trees, and brush from the inside of the fence line was slated to begin in the spring of 2002.
At the time of the accident, deer elimination procedures were in effect within the perimeter of the fence, though these were later expanded to include the area near the fence following the event. A yearlong wildlife management study had been scheduled to start in August 2001.