N210LX

On September 15, 1994, at 2030 mountain standard time, a Cessna 210L, N210LX, collided with an elk during the landing rollout on runway 6 at the Payson, Arizona, airport. The aircraft was owned and operated by Dairy Queen of Southern Arizona, Inc., of Douglas, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the night cross-country operation and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 1800 hours on the day of the accident from Douglas, Arizona, as a business transportation flight to Payson.

Ground witnesses reported that three elk were on the runway as the aircraft touched down during the night landing. Two of the elk ran off the runway; however, the third went in the direction of the landing aircraft. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he did not see the animal until just before the collision. The aircraft collided with and killed the animal.

In a telephone interview, the airport manager reported that the airport has a fence around the property perimeter; however, the northern boundary portion is only 5 feet tall and elk have been observed leaping over the fence.

During his interview, the pilot declined to complete a National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, Form 6120.1/2, as required by 49 CFR 830.