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Lessons Learned and Call to Action for Safety

11:24
15:03
17.2K views

At 11:24 in

LUCKY to Be ALIVE! We Hit a DEER on the RUNWAY While LANDING!

What happens here

The pilot discusses the underlying cause of such incidents: deer overpopulation due to a lack of natural predators and decreased hunting pressure. He notes that overpopulated deer are susceptible to diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and cause significant damage to gardens, shrubs, and now, evidently, airplanes. He emphasizes that if you fly, or know someone who does, it's crucial to be aware of wildlife hazards. He recommends pilots perform a 'go-around' (an aborted landing) to inspect the runway for any obstacles before committing to a final landing, especially at night when visibility is limited and wildlife is more active. He concludes by stressing the importance of safety above all else, regardless of the cost of repairs.

Goal: Promote awareness of wildlife hazards in aviation and advocate for responsible deer population control through hunting.

Tools and materials

  • Deer N/A — The subject of wildlife management discussion
  • Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee Piper — The example aircraft illustrating the need for safety protocols