Incident Overview
On 3 August 2010, a Beech 58 aircraft (registration ZS-MZA) was involved in a serious incident at Kimberley Aerodrome (FAKM) in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. The aircraft was operated as a private flight from Lanseria Aerodrome (FALA). The pilot, the sole occupant, had landed on runway 20 after being cleared by air traffic control (ATC). Following landing, ATC instructed the pilot to vacate runway 20 by turning left onto runway 10 and proceed to the general aviation parking area.
Collision with Wildlife
As the pilot taxied along runway 10, an aardvark (anteater) became visible in the aircraft's landing light beam on the right side. The pilot turned left to avoid the animal, but the aardvark ran into the right propeller. The pilot stopped the aircraft on the runway, shut down the engines, and notified ATC. Aerodrome rescue and fire-fighting personnel assisted; the aircraft was towed to the parking area.
Damage and Injuries
The right propeller and engine sustained significant damage. The aircraft was taken out of service pending replacement of the propeller and a shock load inspection of the engine. No persons were injured, but the aardvark was killed during the impact. No other damage occurred.
Context
This was the second wildlife collision at Kimberley Aerodrome within 18 days. On 16 July 2010, a Dash 8-300 aircraft with 44 occupants struck an aardvark during landing on runway 20 at night, resulting in the nose landing gear collapsing.
Probable Cause
The investigation identified the probable cause as: whilst taxiing along runway 10, a wild animal ran into the aircraft's right propeller.