# NTSB SEA97LA114: Cessna T207A, N51SA, Monument Valley, UT, May 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 16, 1997, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Monument Valley, UT - Coordinates: 37.079978, -110.250495 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0800&lon=-110.2505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42608/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA114 ## Probable cause A horse entering the runway after the aircraft touched down. Factors included no fence installed around part of the airstrip, and remedial action not possible. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - airport facilities,perimeter fence - not installed (contributing factor) - object - animal(s) (cause) - remedial action - not possible (contributing factor) ## Analysis The aircraft was struck by a galloping horse during landing roll. The pilot reported that the runway was clear during his approach, but that he spotted a herd of horses galloping toward the aircraft from the left after an uneventful touchdown. The available remaining runway length and width prevented effective corrective action by the pilot. Despite the pilot's attempt to veer the aircraft clear of the horses, the lead horse struck the aircraft at a full gallop, substantially damaging the aircraft. The privately-owned open-range airstrip, which lies partly on a Navajo Indian reservation, is not fenced on the portion which lies on tribal land, due to tribal restrictions. ## Factual narrative On May 16, 1997, approximately 1730 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T207A, N51SA, operated by Scenic Airlines Inc. of Page, Arizona (a 14 CFR 135 on-demand air taxi certificate holder), was substantially damaged when it was struck by a galloping horse during landing at privately-owned Monument Valley Airstrip, Monument Valley, Utah. The commercial pilot, who was the airplane's sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 flight, which originated at Kayenta, Arizona. The pilot reported that the airstrip was clear during his approach. He stated that after an uneventful touchdown, a herd of 5 to 7 horses appeared approaching the strip from the left at a full gallop, and that the lead horse was on a collision course with the aircraft. The pilot stated that a go-around was not feasible at that point, and that he therefore attempted to veer to the right "as much as runway width would allow" (the airstrip runway is 40 feet wide.) Despite the pilot's attempt to avert the collision, the lead horse contacted the aircraft at a full gallop, damaging the empennage and horizontal stabilizer. The aircraft did not depart the runway during the event. The pilot reported that following the event, the horse continued galloping down the runway "with no apparent break in stride...." The open-range airstrip lies partly on a Navajo Indian reservation. The portion of the airstrip which lies on the reservation is not fenced due to tribal restrictions. The operator reported that at the time of submission of its accident report, negotiations were underway between the airstrip owners and the Navajo tribe, and that the airstrip owners hoped to fence the runway in after a settlement was reached with the tribe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51SA), registered now, S/N 20700699, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T207A - Registry model: [Cessna T207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t207a) (registry code 2073615) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520-M](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-m) (registry code 17266, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T20700699 - Airframe hours: 11050 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-M7 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Scenic Airlines Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 8, 1997, 16 hours before - Departed: OV7, KAYENTA, AZ - Destination: 71V - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 71V, Monument Valley (Private), runway 16, 4,000 × 40 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,590 total, 57 in this make and model, 1,230 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970516010939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970516010939A), May 16, 1997: Cessna T207A, Monument, UT, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck a horse on landing at private strip. 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.