Incident
On 16 January 1998 at 0727 hours UTC, a Cessna 650 Citation III, registration PH-MEX, struck a small deer during landing on Runway 26 at Exeter Airport, Devon. The collision occurred approximately two seconds after touchdown while the aircraft was decelerating through about 120 knots. The deer struck the left main landing gear, causing substantial damage to the landing gear assembly, left inboard flap, and left landing light. Despite the damage, the pilot was able to taxi the aircraft to the ramp for normal passenger disembarkation. Aircraft debris and the dead animal were recovered from the runway during the subsequent inspection.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a Cessna 650 Citation III, manufactured in 1992, powered by two TFE731-3B turbofan engines. The flight was classified as private, with two crew members and eight passengers on board. No injuries were reported. The commander held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence, was 50 years old, and had accumulated 8,900 total flying hours, including 655 hours on type. His recent flying experience included 74 hours in the last 90 days and 34 hours in the last 28 days.
Airport and Wildlife
The Aerodrome Controller, who came on duty at 0500 hours that morning, had conducted a full inspection of the runway and taxiways prior to the accident. At the time of the incident, it was dark, and the deer—believed to have jumped a 4-foot airfield boundary fence to the north of the runway—was not visible from the control tower or the aircraft.