Accident Sequence
During the landing roll, shortly after touchdown, the pilot observed one elk running across the runway. Subsequently, a second elk entered the runway and stopped directly in front of the airplane. The aircraft struck the elk with its nose, after which the animal collided with the leading edge of the left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical issues with the airplane prior to the event.
Airport Wildlife Measures
The airport facility directory includes information that deer, elk, and antelope are present near the runway, and it recommends a clearing pass after dark. However, the operator stated that the company did not require pilots to perform a low pass over the runway before landing. The company safety officer expressed concern that this practice created an unsafe situation given the high performance of the airplane.
According to the United States Naval Observatory, approximately 3 percent of the moon's visible disk was illuminated on the morning of the accident. Sunrise occurred at 0545.
Fence System and Previous Incidents
The airport manager reported that a meeting had been held the day before the accident to discuss installing a higher fence to deter wildlife from entering the runway area. The project was approved, with completion expected in three months.
The existing fence system comprises three fences. The outermost is an electric fence with upper and lower wires. The middle fence, about 4 feet tall, consists of four barbed wires. The innermost is a single-strand electric barbed wire fence. A post-accident check confirmed that the electric fence was functioning normally, and no breaks were found.
The last recorded animal strike at the airport occurred approximately five years prior.