DA42 Racks up Substantial Repair Bill

It was a very expensive lesson, to say the least. A Utah Valley State College Diamond DA42 Twin Star sustained some $50,000 in damage when it struck a deer while landing last month at Provo Municipal Airport.

According to Mario Markides, UVSC flight operations manager, the accident occurred August 22 at around 0100 local time, during the course of nighttime flight training.

A problem seems to be the airport's proximity to Utah Lake where deer are able to get food and shelter, according to the Provo Daily Herald.

"Wherever you provide habitat for an animal, they find that niche," said Craig Clyde, wildlife-program manager at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Deer often become trapped at the airport when they get through fencing and can't find a way back out.

"The big problem is you can't swerve," said Markides.

In addition to the cost to repair the composite-bodied, diesel-powered twin, the school also stands to lose another $30,000 in potential rental fees while the plane is down for repairs, according to the paper.

The deer didn't make it.

FMI: www.uvsc.edu/avsc