Striking Animal May Have Caused Two Tires To Rupture, Causing Other Problems

We've all been warned about watching for wildlife on runways and around airports, and not the kind that would involve a party in a hangar. But while such discussions usually revolve around birds and bird strikes, a different animal may have caused the problems that led to the emergency landing of Morgan Freeman's SJ-30.

The good news is, neither the pilot or the famous passenger were injured during the landing.

Television Station WHBQ reports that it is possible that an armadillo ran out onto the runway as the plane was departing from Fletcher Field Airport (KCKM) in Clarksdale, MS and was hit by the plane, causing two tires on the right main landing gear to rupture. The exploding tires possible damaged the hydraulic system. FAA investigators reportedly found parts of the tire and hydraulic line on the runway.

Pilot Jimmy Hobson noticed the problem shortly after takeoff, and reportedly made several low passes over the airport so that observers on the ground could try to assess the damage, and if the landing gear were down and locked. They then reportedly spent the next several hours circling over northern Mississippi to burn off fuel before being directed to Tunica airport (KUTA), which has the longest runway in the region.

The plane reportedly traveled about 2,000 feet down the runway before skidding off the pavement, according to the report. The landing gear apparently collapsed before the plane came to a stop on the east side of the runway.

The NTSB is still working on its preliminary report on the accident.

(Image from YouTube video)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov