N1377Y

On November 26, 1998, about 1630 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172C, N1377Y, registered to a private individual, collided with a horse during an attempted go-around after landing at a private airport, near Tallahassee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot and one passenger reported no injuries, the horse was killed. The flight originated at 1610, from Tallahassee Commercial Airport, Florida.

The pilot was landing at a private airstrip when a herd of horses crossed the runway. The pilot attempted to takeoff again, but struck and killed one of the horses, causing the airplane to nose over.

According to the pilot's statement, he was on the ground after landing and still rolling. He said, "...I saw the movement of the horses off my right...about 100 feet away from the aircraft. The animals were seen on the landing field side of the fence and moving along the fence line in a slow gallop...I elected to go around and get out of the field. I applied full power and was near flying speed when the horses then tracked across the field in the path of the plane...3 to 4 horses were then running across the field and the last animal to cross the path of the plane then closed with the aircraft and was not running away, but in a straight line which put it directly in front of the aircraft. At or near ground effect speed I struck the horse in a broadside impact, with nose up attitude resulting in the instantaneous death of the horse, the loss of power, propeller, and nose gear...dragged the horse...for several yards and then the aircraft nosed forward and flipped over."