Incident Overview
On 25 February 2007, at 18:30 UTC, a Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft, registration OK-HLB, struck a roe deer during landing on Runway 29 at Karlovy Vary Airport (LKKV) in the Czech Republic. The aircraft was operated by Aerotaxi s.r.o. on a flight from LKKB to LKKV under IFR rules. There were no passengers on board. The incident occurred at night in moonlight, and the crew used the aircraft's landing lights.
Flight Details
The approach was standard. During the flare, at approximately 1.5 meters above the runway and with reduced engine power, the first officer alerted the pilot-in-command to three deer crossing the runway. The pilot-in-command also saw them moments later. The aircraft's lower fuselage struck the second deer. The aircraft touched down normally and rolled out. After parking, inspection revealed blood and fur on the lower fuselage and left main landing gear cover. Remains of the deer were found on Runway 29, about 200-300 meters from the impact point. The return flight to LKKB was performed with the landing gear extended.
Aircraft and Crew
The Mitsubishi MU-2 (serial number 718SA, built 1978) was a turboprop fixed-wing aircraft. Its airworthiness certificate was valid. The propeller was manufactured by Hartzell Propellers and Co. The crew consisted of two: the pilot-in-command (PIC), aged 67, with 97 hours on type and 14,997 total hours, holding an ATPL; and the first officer (F/O), aged 41, with 350 hours on type and 1,360 total hours, holding a CPL. Both had valid licenses.
Aftermath
No persons were injured. The aircraft sustained damage to the lower fuselage and main landing gear cover. Weather conditions were VMC with an overcast ceiling at 550 m, temperature 3°C. The airport, LKKV, is a public international airport at an elevation of 606 m. The incident was investigated by the Czech Accident Investigation Institute (ÚZPLN).
Airport Wildlife Mitigation
Karlovy Vary Airport had implemented measures against wildlife intrusion. The airport was fenced in 2005, with daily inspections of a portion of the 7.5 km fence. In 2006, forest vegetation was cleared or reduced in critical areas. Chemical repellent (HUKINOL) was used. An agreement with the border police to use service dogs as deterrents was in progress. Despite these measures, the deer entered the runway. The investigation concluded that the crew could not prevent the collision.