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Small plane hits elk during takeoff
The Associated Press
12/3/02
WARRENTON, Ore. (AP) -- A six-seat airplane hit an elk while taking off from Astoria Regional Airport early Tuesday morning and erupted in a fireball, an airport official said.
Four people were on board, but no one was injured in the crash, said Ron Larsen, airport manager. The LearJet 36 was a civilian plane under contract for the Canadian military and was leaving on a scheduled mission, he said.
Passengers included three civilians and one military official, Larsen said.
"They were able to get the aircraft under control and went off the end of the runway and the aircraft did catch fire, but everybody's out OK," he said.
The rural airport had planned to install a fence next summer to keep out the wandering herds of elk that migrate through the area, Larsen said.
"We've had elk on this airport for years" but they've never caused a crash, he said.
The plane was owned by Phoenix Air, a private company headquartered in Cartersville, Ga.
Officials declined to give more details about the plane's mission or flight plans.
The Associated Press
12/3/02
WARRENTON, Ore. (AP) -- A six-seat airplane hit an elk while taking off from Astoria Regional Airport early Tuesday morning and erupted in a fireball, an airport official said.
Four people were on board, but no one was injured in the crash, said Ron Larsen, airport manager. The LearJet 36 was a civilian plane under contract for the Canadian military and was leaving on a scheduled mission, he said.
Passengers included three civilians and one military official, Larsen said.
"They were able to get the aircraft under control and went off the end of the runway and the aircraft did catch fire, but everybody's out OK," he said.
The rural airport had planned to install a fence next summer to keep out the wandering herds of elk that migrate through the area, Larsen said.
"We've had elk on this airport for years" but they've never caused a crash, he said.
The plane was owned by Phoenix Air, a private company headquartered in Cartersville, Ga.
Officials declined to give more details about the plane's mission or flight plans.
