Van's RV-8, N232TB: Accident occurred September 16, 2017 at Nehalem Bay State Airport (3S7), Manzanita, Tillamook County, Oregon

Additional participating entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Oregon

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N232TB

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The airplane's collision with two elks during landing.

Findings

Environmental issues
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Ability to respond/compensate (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll
Wildlife encounter (non-bird) (Defining event)
Loss of control on ground
Landing gear collapse

Location: Manzanita, OR

Accident Number: GAA17CA541
Date & Time: 09/16/2017, 1710 PDT
Registration: N232TB
Aircraft: RUDBERG TODD W VANS ACFT RV8
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot, reported that he landed on the runway and noticed an elk running toward the nose of the airplane. He applied full throttle and climbed to avoid impact, but the propeller struck the elk.

The pilot shut off the engine and the airplane descended to the runway. When the airplane touched down on the runway, a second elk collided with the airplane's left wing. The airplane veered to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane then veered to the right and came to rest on the right wing.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

The Airport Facility Directory for the accident airport, states that there is wildlife in the vicinity of the runway.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/17/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/19/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1800 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1800 hours (Total, this make and model) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: RUDBERG TODD W
Registration: N232TB
Model/Series: VANS ACFT RV8 UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental; Aerobatic
Serial Number: 81315
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/24/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1800 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1355.8 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO390
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 210 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAST, 22 ft msl
Observation Time: 1201 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 28 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 4°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 11°C
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 200 ft agl
Visibility:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: Moderate - Mist
Departure Point: EVERETT, WA (PAE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Manzanita, OR (3S7)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: NEHALEM BAY STATE (3S7)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 30 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 33
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2350 ft / 50 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 45.698056, -123.929722 (est)