No fatalities

Aircraft Strikes Deer on Landing, Loses Brake Pressure (N287W)

Wheeling-Ohio County, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On February 1, 1988, a Dassault Falcon 20 (registration N287W) operated by Nevada Flyco was involved in an aviation accident near Wheeling-Ohio County, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Occurrence #1: on ground/water collision with object Phase of operation: landing - roll Findings 1. (f) weather condition - fog 2. (c) object - animal(s) 3. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archiveUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft struck two deer after landing on runway 03, fracturing a hydraulic brake line, lost brake pressure, and veered onto grass; all nine occupants were uninjured.

Landing and Collision

During an ILS approach to runway 03, the aircraft touched down. Shortly after touchdown, the pilot observed deer on the runway ahead. Before evasive action could be taken, the aircraft collided with two deer. The impact occurred with the left main landing gear, fracturing a hydraulic brake line.

Loss of Brake Pressure and Evasive Maneuver

Following the collision, brake pressure was lost. The pilot steered the aircraft onto the grass off the right side of the runway to avoid overrunning the runway end and descending a hill.

Aircraft Examination and Occupant Status

Examination of the aircraft confirmed that the deer strike damaged the hydraulic brake line. The aircraft's nose gear also collapsed during the landing roll. All nine occupants escaped the incident without injury.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation identified two occurrences. The first was an on-ground/water collision with an object, noting fog as a weather condition and the object being animal(s), with clearance not possible. The second occurrence was a nose gear collapse, attributed to the normal brake system being disabled, brakes unavailable, and the nose gear assembly overloaded.

Probable cause

Occurrence #1: on ground/water collision with object Phase of operation: landing - roll Findings 1. (f) weather condition - fog 2. (c) object - animal(s) 3. (c) clearance - not possible ---------- Occurrence #2: nose gear collapsed Phase of operation: landing - roll Findings 4. (c) landing gear, normal brake system - disabled 5. Brakes (normal) - unavailable 6. Landing gear, nose gear assembly - overload

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Feb 1988 Dassault Falcon 20 accident near Wheeling-Ohio County, United States of America?

An aircraft struck two deer after landing on runway 03, fracturing a hydraulic brake line, lost brake pressure, and veered onto grass; all nine occupants were uninjured.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Feb 1988 Dassault Falcon 20 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Feb 1988 involved a Dassault Falcon 20, registration N287W, operated by Nevada Flyco, at Wheeling-Ohio County, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Occurrence #1: on ground/water collision with object Phase of operation: landing - roll Findings 1. (f) weather condition - fog 2. (c) object - animal(s) 3. (c) clearance - not possible ---------- Occurrence #2: nose gear collapsed Phase of operation: landing - roll Findings 4. (c) landing gear, normal brake system -…