What's happened
A Cessna Citation struck multiple deer during takeoff from North Palm Beach, Florida, prompting an emergency landing at Palm Beach International Airport. No injuries reported. The pilot declared an emergency after hitting four or five deer on the nose gear and wings, an incident described as extremely rare.
What's behind the headline?
The incident underscores the inherent risks wildlife presents to aviation safety, particularly at smaller airports near natural habitats. While hitting deer is rare, it highlights the importance of wildlife management on and around runways. The pilot's statement that such events are 'like getting hit by lightning or a shark bite' emphasizes their rarity, but the potential for catastrophic damage remains. This event may prompt airports to review wildlife deterrent measures, especially in areas where deer populations are increasing. The incident also illustrates the limitations pilots face in avoiding animals once at high speed during takeoff, as swerve options are limited. Overall, this event should serve as a catalyst for enhanced wildlife control strategies at general aviation airports to prevent future occurrences.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the private jet hit four or five deer during takeoff, leading to an emergency landing at Palm Beach International Airport. The pilot described the event as extremely rare, comparing it to lightning strikes or shark bites. Business Insider UK highlights the rarity of private jet departures after major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, but does not mention wildlife incidents. The NY Post and The Times of Israel detail separate incidents involving threats and false alarms related to Wi-Fi hotspots, which are unrelated to the aviation accident but show heightened security concerns in the region. The incident's rarity is confirmed by pilot Michael Leighton, who has 16,000 flight hours and states he has never hit an animal in flight.
How we got here
The incident occurred as the private jet was departing from North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport en route to Cincinnati. The pilot reported hitting multiple deer on the nose gear and wings, leading to an emergency landing at Palm Beach International Airport. Such wildlife encounters are uncommon but pose significant safety risks, especially during takeoff and landing phases.
Go deeper
Common question
-
What Happens When a Jet Hits a Deer? Rare Aviation Incidents Explained
Accidents involving aircraft and wildlife are extremely rare but can have serious consequences. One recent incident involved a private jet hitting multiple deer during takeoff, prompting an emergency landing. Curious about how common these incidents are, what safety measures exist, and what happens afterward? Below, we answer the most pressing questions about wildlife encounters in aviation and share insights into recent events worldwide.
More on these topics
-
The Israeli Air Force operates as the aerial warfare branch of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence. As of August 2017 Aluf Amikam Norkin serves as the Air Force Commander.
-
Ben Gurion Airport, commonly known by its Hebrew acronym as Natbag, is the main international airport of Israel and the busiest airport in the country, located on the northern outskirts of the city of Lod, which is about 45 km northwest of Jerusalem and 2