What happened
During the takeoff roll at Astoria Regional Airport, the aircraft was accelerating toward its takeoff decision speed, V1, when it struck an elk. Following the impact, the pilot attempted to stop the aircraft by applying the wheel brakes and deploying the drag chute. Despite these efforts, the plane failed to stop within the runway limits and exited the departure end of the runway. The aircraft eventually came to a stop in a marshy area located roughly 50 feet past the departure threshold.
Findings
At the time of the accident, the airport's perimeter fencing was incomplete, with only about 15,000 feet of animal control fencing in place. While the airport had secured an FAA Aviation Improvement Program grant to extend the fencing by an additional 9,000 feet to fully enclose the facility, this project was not scheduled for completion until the summer of 2003. Official records for the airport have previously noted the presence of elk herds both on the airfield and in the surrounding area, identifying wildlife incursions as a known environmental factor at the location.