On 6 Jul 2008, a Mooney M20K operated by Baetcke Lake, PC was involved in an aviation accident near Howell, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by the aircraft colliding with a deer during the takeoff roll, with dusk lighting conditions acting as a contributing factor. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A Mooney M20K aircraft sustained damage after colliding with a deer during its takeoff roll at dusk.
On July 6, 2008, a Mooney M20K, registration N252EM, was performing a takeoff roll in Howell, Michigan. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft struck a deer. Following the collision, the pilot immediately aborted the takeoff and maneuvered the aircraft back to the ramp area.
There were no injuries resulting from the event. The impact caused damage to the propeller, the left main landing gear, the lower fuselage, and the left wing.
The accident was caused by the aircraft colliding with a deer during the takeoff roll, with dusk lighting conditions acting as a contributing factor.