NTSB Identification: GAA16CA230
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, May 11, 2016 in Keene, NH
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/27/2016
Aircraft: GRENIER RAYMOND VANS AIRCRAFT, registration: N220RG
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
According to the flight instructor, during the landing roll, two deer ran on to the runway. He reported that the airplane struck one of the deer, exited the right side of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to vertical stabilizer and rudder.
The flight instructor reported that there were not any pre-accident mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.
The pilot did not submit the 6120 Report of Aircraft accident Form as requested by the investigator.
The comments section of the FAA Airport Facilities Directory for the accident airport includes the comment: WILDLIFE ON & INVOF (in vicinity of) ARPT.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The airplane striking a deer during the landing roll, resulting in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and subsequent nose over.
NORTH SWANZEY - A deer-versus-aircraft crash at Keene Dillant Hopkins Airport is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation's Bureau of Aeronautics, Swanzey Fire Chief Norm Skantze said Wednesday afternoon.
Located in Swanzey, the airport is owned and run by the neighboring city of Keene, Skantze said, so both Swanzey and Keene fire departments share responsibility for the small airport.
Skantze said he was called to the airport at 9:39 a.m. Wednesday by a Southwest Mutual Aid dispatcher and found Keene Fire Chief Mark Howard already on the scene.
The aircraft had two occupants who were able to get out of the plane unassisted, Skantze said.
“They declined any medical treatment or transport,” he said. “They were able to get themselves out of the plane and over to the terminal. Obviously they were all shaken up. They were at the terminal and the plane was still out on the runway.”
The deer was not as fortunate and died as a result of the impact, according to the Swanzey chief.
“There have been some serious plane crashes here in the far off past,” Skantze said. “We're just fortunate nobody was hurt. It could have been a different story.”
The runway was closed for only a short time. Federal and state investigations continue, Skantze said.
An airport official referred questions to the FAA, which responded in the afternoon with a statement.
“A Vans RV-8 aircraft went off the side on Runway 2 and flipped over after it struck a deer as it was landing at Dillant-Hopkins Airport in Keene, NH at about 9:45 am today. … The aircraft departed from Boire Field in Nashua. The FAA will investigate,” the FAA said.
Skantze said he could not reveal the details about the occupants or the airplane while the investigation is underway. He was able to give a summary of the crash.
“The plane was attempting a routine landing and as it was just coming down on the runway a deer came out on the runway and the plane hit it and forced the plane onto a grassy area where the plane rolled over,” Skantze said. The chief couldn't recall a crash involving wildlife in the past, but said it is not unanticipated by pilots.
“The airport is a large geographic area in this town and it borders the woodlands and I know from time to time they are plagued with wildlife on the runway,” Skantze said. “It's certainly something the pilots are aware of can happen because we are in a rural setting.”
Firefighters had responded to the airport just a few weeks ago for a minor crash believed to have been caused by cross-winds.
Original article can be found here: http://www.unionleader.com
NORTH SWANZEY — A small plane and a deer collided at the Dilliant-Hopkins Airport this morning.
The occupants of the plane were not injured, according to the Keene Fire Department's Twitter feed, but the crash closed the main runway at the Keene-owned airport off Route 32.
The deer did not survive.
The plane was landing when it hit the deer, which caused the aircraft to leave the runway and overturn, Keene fire officials said.
Both people in the aircraft were able to get out safety, fire officials said.
The crash was reported just after 9:30 a.m., and besides the Keene Fire Department, members of the Swanzey Fire Department and DiLuzio Ambulance Service responded.
Airport Manager John G. “Jack” Wozmak declined comment at the scene, referring all questions about the incident to the Federal Aviation Administration.
This is the second plane crash at the airport in about two weeks.
On April 30, a single-engine recreational aircraft was coming in for a landing when it was caught by a crosswind and went off the runway. No injuries were reported, but the plane and at least five lights along the runway were damaged.
Original article can be found here: http://www.sentinelsource.com
WMUR-TV reports that two people were aboard the plane and were able to get out safely Wednesday morning.
The main runway at Keene Dillant-Hopkins Airport was closed while officials investigated.
The airport property takes up about 1,000 acres and is surrounded by trees. The airport has two runways.
The airport’s manager and the Keene Fire Department didn’t immediately return phone messages seeking comment.
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