NTSB Factual Report

On November 1, 2001, at 2145 eastern standard time, a Beech 1900C, N210CJ, operating as U.S Airways Express flight 5955, was substantially damaged when it collided with a deer while landing at Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), Bar Harbor, Maine. The certificated airline transport pilot, the first officer, and the 11 passengers were uninjured. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating on an instrument flight rules flight plan between General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston, Massachusetts, and Bar Harbor. The scheduled passenger flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 121.

The flight was operated by Colgan Air, Inc. According to the Director of Safety, the first officer had just completed an ILS RWY 22 approach. She landed the airplane, and just after touchdown, it struck a deer that was crossing from left to right. The captain took control of the airplane and stopped it on the runway. As the airplane slowed to a stop, the left engine began to vibrate. The captain secured the engine, and after shutdown, noted that one of the composite propeller blades was missing. After assessing the damage, the captain taxied the airplane to the ramp, where the passengers deplaned uneventfully.

Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the engine firewall was cracked, one propeller blade was bent, and another blade had separated near the hub. The separated portion of the blade was found about 300 feet from where the collision occurred.

Weather at the time included a 600-foot overcast layer.

NTSB Probable Cause

A deer, which had been crossing the runway as the airplane touched down. A factor was the dark night conditions.