Narrative:
The Cessna 550 Citation II collided with two deer just after rotation at Charleston Executive Airport, SC.
The pilot continued the climbout and assessed that the flight controls functioned normally, but that the airplane was having issues with pressurization, and he was unable to communicate via radio. He eventually was able to contact air traffic control via mobile phone to coordinate their arrival at the destination and landed there uneventfully. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it had sustained substantial damage to the right wing and its pressure vessel during the collision with the deer.
Sunset had occurred 38 minutes before the incident at the non-towered airport.
Probable cause: "The airplane's impact with a deer during takeoff."
Runway mishap
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 1 May 2021 |
| Time: | 20:39 |
| Type: |  Cessna 550 Citation II |
| Operator: | STB Aviation LLC |
| Registration: | N803SC |
| MSN: | 550-0615 |
| First flight: | 1989 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6778 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Charleston Executive Airport, SC ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Charleston Executive Airport, SC (KJZI), United States of America |
| Columbia Metropolitan Airport, SC (CAE/KCAE), United States of America |
The Cessna 550 Citation II collided with two deer just after rotation at Charleston Executive Airport, SC.
The pilot continued the climbout and assessed that the flight controls functioned normally, but that the airplane was having issues with pressurization, and he was unable to communicate via radio. He eventually was able to contact air traffic control via mobile phone to coordinate their arrival at the destination and landed there uneventfully. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it had sustained substantial damage to the right wing and its pressure vessel during the collision with the deer.
Sunset had occurred 38 minutes before the incident at the non-towered airport.
Probable Cause:
Probable cause: "The airplane's impact with a deer during takeoff."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Runway mishap
Sources:
» FAAPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Charleston Executive Airport, SC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport, SC as the crow flies is 171 km (107 miles).
Accident location: Exact; as reported in the official accident report.
Distance from Charleston Executive Airport, SC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport, SC as the crow flies is 171 km (107 miles).
Accident location: Exact; as reported in the official accident report.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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