Primary finding
Probable cause
An on-ground collision with an animal (moose). Factors in the accident were night VFR conditions that restricted the pilot's visual lookout, and the lack of an airport perimeter fence.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
A twin engine airplane was departing a private airstrip on a non scheduled air taxi flight during night VFR conditions. The airplane had accelerated to between 85 and 90 knots on the runway. The captain noticed a shadow ahead and left of the airplane, and then felt an impact with the airplane. He aborted the takeoff, and stopped the airplane on the runway. He taxied clear of the runway, and noticed a moose had been struck by the left wing of the airplane during the departure roll. The airplane received damage to the left wing tip, and the left wing spar. The airport is served by several air taxi operators, and is surrounded by brush and trees. A road parallels the east side of the runway, and a line of trees begins about 100 feet east of the road. The airport property is not fenced.
Source record
Factual narrative
On November 11, 1997, about 1800 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-31-T3 airplane, N314SC, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a moose during takeoff from the Beluga Airport, located about 7 miles north of Tyonek, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by South Central Air Inc., Kenai, Alaska. The captain, a certificated airline transport pilot, the first officer, a certificated commercial pilot, and 3 passengers, were not injured. Night, visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The operator reported the airplane was departing runway 18, and had accelerated to between 85 and 90 knots. The captain noticed a shadow ahead and left of the airplane, and then felt an impact with the airplane. He aborted the takeoff, and stopped the airplane on the runway. He taxied clear of the runway, and noticed a moose had been struck by the left wing of the airplane during the departure roll. The airplane received damage to the left wing tip, and the left wing spar. The Beluga Airport is a private airport served by several air taxi operators. Runway 18/36 has a gravel surface, and is 5,000 feet long, and 100 feet wide. The airport is surrounded by brush and trees. A road parallels the east side of the runway, and a line of trees begins about 100 feet east of the road. The airport property is not fenced. -