# NTSB GAA16CA129: Pilatus PC12, N338PC, Lawrenceville, GA, January 27, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 26, 2016, 20:15 local (Jan 27, 2016, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Lawrenceville, GA - Coordinates: 33.978332, -83.961669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9783&lon=-83.9617&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92728 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92728/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92728 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA129 ## Probable cause An unintentional collision with a white-tailed deer during the takeoff roll in night visual conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis The operator reported that during the takeoff roll, at the moment of rotation during night visual conditions, the pilot observed two white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) running across the runway. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid the deer, however one of the deer impacted the nose wheel. The pilot decided to continue the takeoff, the airplane orbited the airport for about 1.5 hours, and then landed without further incident. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The operator verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. As a safety recommendation, the operator stated that wildlife strikes can be dealt with proactively through accurate reports from the airport users and airport management establishing a program of regular wildlife population control. The operator further stated that reporting wildlife activity is the most important element of this proactive approach and that without these reports airport managers cannot properly gauge the amount of timing of their response. The operator reported that from a conversation with the airport manager that the deer population has increased on the airport because of hunting pressure in the surrounding areas. The airport manager reported that all of the movement areas at the airport are fenced. He also reported that the airport fencing is "standard FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) specification 6 foot tall chain link fence with triple strand barbed wire at the top on standard 45 degree angle outriggers." The FAA has published CERTALERT 04-16 Deer Hazard to Aircraft and Deer Fencing (December 2004). This document describes the deer hazard to aircraft and recommends various airport fencing options to mitigate deer and aircraft strikes. This document states in part: "Elevated deer populations in the United States represent an increasingly serious threat to both commercial and general aviation aircraft. It is currently estimated that there over 26 million deer in the United States. Because of increasing urbanization and rapidly expanding deer populations, deer are adapting to human environments, especially around airports, where they often find food and shelter. Proper fencing is the best way of keeping deer off aircraft movement areas. The FAA recommends a 10-12 foot chain link fence with 3-strand barbed wire outriggers. In some cases an airport may be able to use an 8-foot chain link fence with 3-strand barbed wire outriggers, depending upon the amount of deer activity in a local area. All fencing must be properly installed and maintained. If deer are observed on or near the aircraft movement area, immediate action must be taken to remove them." The Georgia Department of National Resources Wildlife Resources Division has published White-Tailed Deer Fact Sheet (April 2004). This document describes the behavior patterns of the white-tailed deer and states inpart: "Deer are most active around dawn and dusk. This is called a crepuscular activity pattern." ## Factual narrative The operator reported that during the takeoff roll, at the moment of rotation during night visual conditions, the pilot observed two white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) running across the runway. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid the deer, however one of the deer impacted the nose wheel. The pilot decided to continue the takeoff, the airplane orbited the airport for about 1.5 hours, and then landed without further incident. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The operator verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. As a safety recommendation, the operator stated that wildlife strikes can be dealt with proactively through accurate reports from the airport users and airport management establishing a program of regular wildlife population control. The operator further stated that reporting wildlife activity is the most important element of this proactive approach and that without these reports airport managers cannot properly gauge the amount of timing of their response. The operator reported that from a conversation with the airport manager that the deer population has increased on the airport because of hunting pressure in the surrounding areas. The airport manager reported that all of the movement areas at the airport are fenced. He also reported that the airport fencing is "standard FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) specification 6 foot tall chain link fence with triple strand barbed wire at the top on standard 45 degree angle outriggers." The FAA has published CERTALERT 04-16 Deer Hazard to Aircraft and Deer Fencing (December 2004). This document describes the deer hazard to aircraft and recommends various airport fencing options to mitigate deer and aircraft strikes. This document states in part; Elevated deer populations in the United States represent an increasingly serious threat to both commercial and general aviation aircraft. It is currently estimated that there over 26 million deer in the United States. Because of increasing urbanization and rapidly expanding deer populations, deer are adapting to human environments, especially around airports, where they often find food and shelter. Proper fencing is the best way of keeping deer off aircraft movement areas. The FAA recommends a 10-12 foot chain link fence with 3-strand barbed wire outriggers. In some cases an airport may be able to use an 8-foot chain link fence with 3-strand barbed wire outriggers, depending upon the amount of deer activity in a local area. All fencing must be properly installed and maintained. If deer are observed on or near the aircraft movement area, immediate action must be taken to remove them. The Georgia Department of National Resources Wildlife Resources Division has published White-Tailed Deer Fact Sheet (April 2004). This document describes the behavior patterns of the white-tailed deer and states inpart; Deer are most active around dawn and dusk. This is called a crepuscular activity pattern. ## Aircraft - Registration: N338PC (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PILATUS PC12 (45) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 338 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 5948.4 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-67B 1200 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Quest Diagnostics, Inc. - Registered owner: Spectrum Air, LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 12, 2016 - Departed: LZU, Lawrenceville, GA - Destination: PNS, PENSACOLA, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LZU, Gwinnett County - Briscoe Fiel, runway 25, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 12, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,200 total, 450 in this make and model, 7,900 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KLZU ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20160126000439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160126000439A), Jan 26, 2016: Pilatus PC-12/45, Lawrenceville, GA, Minor damage. On janurary 26, 2016 at about 2015, a Pilatus PC-12/45, N338PC, registered to spectrum air LLC operating as 14 CFR part 91 corporation flight during take-off… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92728. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Airport Manager Statement (item 2, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Manager%20Statement-Master.PDF - Flight Operations Safety Officer Statement (item 3, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Operations%20Safety%20Officer%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of Manufacturer) (item 4, .PDF, 6 photos, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Manufacturer)-Master.PDF - FAA certalert 04-16 (item 5, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20CERTALERT%2004-16-Master.PDF - Georgia DNR WRD White-Tailed Deer Fact Sheet (item 6, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437940&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Georgia%20DNR%20WRD%20White-Tailed%20Deer%20Fact%20Sheet-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.