PSA CRJ7 at Charlotte on Feb 15th 2017, deer strike on departure

Last Update: July 10, 2020 / 18:17:46 GMT/Zulu time

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Photo of PSA Airlines N709PS, Canadair CRJ-700 — PSA Airlines N709PS, Canadair CRJ-700 (Photo credit: Aero Icarus / Flickr / License: CC by-sa)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Feb 15, 2017

Classification
Incident

Airline
PSA Airlines

Flight number
AA-5320

Departure
Charlotte, United States

Destination
Gulfport, United States

Aircraft Registration
N709PS

Aircraft Type
Canadair CRJ-700

ICAO Type Designator
CRJ7

A PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-700 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N709PS performing flight AA-5320 from Charlotte,NC to Gulfport,MS (USA) with 44 passengers and 4 crew, departed Charlotte's runway 36C at 11:42L (16:42Z) and was in the initial climb when the crew reported they had heard a loud bang. The aircraft stopped the climb at 4000 feet. A runway inspection found a dead deer on the runway, the aircraft positioned for a low approach to runway 36R to have the gear inspected from the ground. Tower reported seeing all three gear in position, it appeared there was vapor coming off the right hand side. Another pilot reported the right hand engine appeared to be leaking. Emergency services readied for intervention. The aircraft climbed to 4000 feet, the crew advised they were planning to vacate the runway normally but would stop and evacuate if there was any observation of leaking fuel. The aircraft positioned for a full stop landing on runway 36R about 10 minutes after the low approach and 30 minutes after departure, vacated the runway via high speed turn off R, stopped after the hold short line and evacuated. Emergency services closed the runway and foamed the aircraft reporting a lot of fuel on the runway. The occupants exited the aircraft rapidly via the onboard stairs and were bussed to the terminal, there were no injuries. The aircraft sustained damage to the leading edge of the right hand wing.

The FAA reported the aircraft returned after an obvious deer strike. There was a fuel leak prompting the fire crews to foam the aircraft.

The airline reported all passengers on board evacuated safely and were taken to the terminal.

On May 22nd 2020 the NTSB announced they are investigating the occurrence still rated an "occurrence" (not rated incident, serious incident or accident). The NTSB wrote in their preliminary report: "NTSB investigators will use data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator, and will not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report."

On Jul 10th 2020 the NTSB released their final report into the occurrence now rated an accident concluding the probable cause of the accident was:

collision with a deer during takeoff.

The NTSB reported: "According to the operator, the airplane struck a deer with its right wing during the takeoff roll. The crew continued the takeoff and declared an emergency. Before returning to land, the flight crew conducted a low pass down runway 36R, for the airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF) to inspect the damage. ARFF observed damage to the right wing and reported vapor coming from it. After landing on runway 36R, the flight crew elected to stop on the taxiway due to the fuel leak, where passengers were evacuated and bused them to the terminal. Post flight examination of the wing found damage substantial damage to the leading edge slats, slat tracks, flaps, and front spar of the right wing."

Metars:
KCLT 151752Z 31006KT 10SM SCT018 BKN027 BKN090 12/07 A2957 RMK AO2 SLP012 60046 T01220067 10122 20067 55003
KCLT 151652Z 33004KT 10SM BKN015 BKN021 11/07 A2957 RMK AO2 SLP012 T01060067
KCLT 151647Z 35004KT 10SM BKN012 BKN018 10/07 A2958 RMK AO2
KCLT 151552Z 35005KT 10SM SCT007 OVC020 09/07 A2958 RMK AO2 SLP015 T00890067
KCLT 151452Z 02006KT 8SM FEW005 SCT026 BKN065 08/06 A2957 RMK AO2 RAE46 SLP011 P0009 60046 T00780061 50004
KCLT 151352Z 12006KT 6SM RA BR BKN070 OVC080 08/06 A2959 RMK AO2 SLP019 P0015 T00780056
KCLT 151312Z 03005KT 6SM RA BR SCT037 BKN048 OVC080 07/05 A2960 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT E AND SE PRESFR P0009 T00670050
KCLT 151252Z COR 32005KT 5SM VCTS RA BKN037 BKN060 OVC075 07/04 A2962 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SE-SW OCNL LTGICCG VC TS VC SE MOV E TSE51 PRESRR SLP029 P0022 T00720044