Primary finding
Probable cause
The farmer's failure to maintain security of his livestock/animals.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that as the takeoff airspeed accelerated to 60 mph, with the landing lights on, he noticed the rear end of a large black bull walking down the center of the runway. During the pilot's attempt to avoid a collision, the right wing struck the bull. Reportedly, the bull came from a pasture adjacent to the airport. In the past, there had been several occurrences of domestic livestock on the airport property from a nearby pasture.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 15, 1996, at 2125 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N16413, collided with a bull on runway 18 during a takeoff roll at the Olive Branch Airport in Olive Branch, Mississippi. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with a flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff attempt from Olive Branch. The pilot reported that as the airplane accelerated to 60 mph, with the landing lights on, he noticed the rear end of a large black bull walking down the center of the runway. During the pilot's attempt to avoid a collision, the right wing struck the bull. Despite the collision, the pilot taxied the airplane to the next available taxiway and exited the runway. Reportedly, the bull came from a pasture adjacent to the airport. In the past, there had been several occurrences of domestic livestock on the airport from the same pasture. -