Diverts After Landing Gear Damaged

The pilot of a Cessna 172 (file photo of type, below) that had a close encounter with a herd of deer last week is safe, although he or she may wish they'd heeded advice a little more closely.

The Associated Press reports the pilot was on approach for landing at the Bessemer, AL airport (EKY) Wednesday night when, according to airport owner Abe Alibrahim, he told the pilot a herd of deer was on the runway.

The plane continued with the landing, but soon initiated a go-around when it became clear the deer weren't moving. The pilot managed to avoid most of the herd, but one of the animals was struck by the landing gear as the plane lifted off.

The incident damaged the gear (and, likely, the animal.)

The pilot opted to continue on to Birmingham International (BHM), just over 17 nautical miles away, where the Skyhawk made a safe -- albeit eventful -- emergency landing. The damaged landing gear strut bent upon landing, steering the plane off the runway.

The pilot, the only person aboard the plane, was uninjured, said Birmingham airport spokeswoman Patty Howell.

Alibrahim told the AP Wednesday's incident wasn't the first time deer have caused a ruckus at Bessemer Airport -- which is surrounded by a fence designed to keep the creatures out. A similar incident also happened four to six years ago, he said... with similar results.

Such encounters, not uncommon on rural runways, "usually [work] to the disadvantage of the deer," said FAA spokesman Paul Turk.

**   Report created 2/3/2006   Record 2 

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 902NS        Make/Model: C172      Description: 172, P172, R172, Skyhawk, Hawk XP, Cutla
  Date: 02/02/2006     Time: 0253

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial

LOCATION
  City: BIRMINGHAM   State: AL   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  ACFT HIT A DEER AT TAKEOFF WHICH BENT THE GEAR, DIVERTED AND ON LANDING,
  SKIDDED OFF THE RWY, BIRMINGHAM, AL

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   

WEATHER: 0053Z 15004KT 10SM CLR 12/M01 A2992

OTHER DATA

  Departed: BESSEMER, AL                Dep Date:    Dep. Time:     
  Destination: BIRMINGHAM, AL           Flt Plan: VFR          Wx Briefing: U
  Last Radio Cont: ON FINAL
  Last Clearance: CLRD TO LAND

  FAA FSDO: BIRMINGHAM, AL  (SO09)                Entry date: 02/02/2006

FMI: www.faa.gov