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NTSB Report

May 16, 1997 · Cessna T207A · N51SA

Monument Valley, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Monument Valley, UT
Aircraft
Cessna T207A
Tail Number
N51SA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA97LA114

The aircraft was struck by a galloping horse during landing roll. The pilot reported that the runway was clear during his approach, but that he spotted a herd of horses galloping toward the aircraft from the left after an uneventful touchdown. The available remaining runway length and width prevented effective corrective action by the pilot. Despite the pilot's attempt to veer the aircraft clear of the horses, the lead horse struck the aircraft at a full gallop, substantially damaging the aircraft. The privately-owned open-range airstrip, which lies partly on a Navajo Indian reservation, is not fenced on the portion which lies on tribal land, due to tribal restrictions.

NTSB Probable Cause

A horse entering the runway after the aircraft touched down. Factors included no fence installed around part of the airstrip, and remedial action not possible.

Full Narrative

On May 16, 1997, approximately 1730 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T207A, N51SA, operated by Scenic Airlines Inc. of Page, Arizona (a 14 CFR 135 on-demand air taxi certificate holder), was substantially damaged when it was struck by a galloping horse during landing at privately-owned Monument Valley Airstrip, Monument Valley, Utah. The commercial pilot, who was the airplane's sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 flight, which originated at Kayenta, Arizona. The pilot reported that the airstrip was clear during his approach. He stated that after an uneventful touchdown, a herd of 5 to 7 horses appeared approaching the strip from the left at a full gallop, and that the lead horse was on a collision course with the aircraft. The pilot stated that a go-around was not feasible at that point, and that he therefore attempted to veer to the right "as much as runway width would allow" (the airstrip runway is 40 feet wide.) Despite the pilot's attempt to avert the collision, the lead horse contacted the aircraft at a full gallop, damaging the empennage and horizontal stabilizer. The aircraft did not depart the runway during the event. The pilot reported that following the event, the horse continued galloping down the runway "with no apparent break in stride...." The open-range airstrip lies partly on a Navajo Indian reservation. The portion of the airstrip which lies on the reservation is not fenced due to tribal restrictions. The operator reported that at the time of submission of its accident report, negotiations were underway between the airstrip owners and the Navajo tribe, and that the airstrip owners hoped to fence the runway in after a settlement was reached with the tribe.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 MDT
Nearest AirportMonument Valley (Private) (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T207A
Tail NumberN51SA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-M7 · Reciprocating · 310
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data