Fresh roadkill is always great!

Pilot Lands Safely In Florida After Plane Hits Deer

Wednesday, October 20, 2010 3:56:24 AM by Pen Men At Work

October 20, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): A single engine plane was in for some trouble after it hit a deer while taking off. The aircraft, however, managed to land safely in central Florida. The pilot kept flying the plane for well over an hour trying to decide his next step of action. The Piper PA-28 touched down on the longest runway of the airport at 10:30 P.M., Monday.

The officials later inspected the plane and found that one of its wings was slightly damaged while the gear had collapsed completely after hitting the deer. The impact that damaged the plane took place at the Space Coast Regional Airport.

The plane burned almost a third of its fuel by circling overhead. The fuel was expected to last them for three hours. The team consisting of the rescue crew was standing by when the plane ultimately geared for a landing. The rescue team monitored it closely while it touched the ground. The left wing of the aircraft was damaged slightly as the plane tilted quite a bit while trying to make a landing. Scott Gaenicke, the Battalion Chief of the Titusville Fire Department confirmed the damage saying that the left wing had been scraped a bit. The pilot along with the passengers managed to escape unscathed. The two passengers simply walked away together with the pilot once they found themselves on the ground.

It was another matter for the injured deer though. The animal died near the runway which is surrounded by a fence, 9 feet in height. Gaenicke was heard saying that he had heard of bird strikes but hitting a deer was definitely a first.