Animals Had Strayed Onto The Runway At Nehalem Bay State Park, Plane Occupants Uninjured

Two people aboard an airplane that was landing at Nehalem Bay State Park Airport (37S) in coastal Oregon were uninjured when the Vans RV8 they were aboard hit two elk that had wandered onto the runway. And while the people were OK, neither the animals or the plane fared so well.

The Oregonian reports that the accident occurred Saturday at about 1714 local time. The pilot, 49-year-old Todd Rudberg touched down on the airstrip when the elk darted from the onto the runway. Rudberg tried to get airborne again, but the prop and main landing gear of the aircraft hit the animal. A second elk ran in front of the plane a moment later, and it was struck by the plane's left wing. Both the animals died from the collision.

Rudberg and his passenger Valerie Villacin were uninjured, according to police, but the RV8 was a total loss.

The airstrip was closed while the FAA investigated the accident.

Police said that authorities were able to salvage a large quantity of elk meat from the accident, which was donated to charity.

(Image from file, not accident aircraft)

FMI: Original Report