UPDATE: Officials with the Charlotte Douglas International Airport say the deer that ran out in front a plane during take off did not enter through an opening in the fence.
Officials say the Airport performs daily routine checks on the perimeter fence to ensure there are no breaches. An inspection was made following the accident and officials say no opening was found.
The Airport released a list of actions taken over the years, as part of Charlotte’s Wildlife Hazard Management Program, to prevent such incidents. Included in the list is a recent request made on February 3rd for information on perimeter fence enhancements. You can read the full list below:
- 2011 – The Airport created a full-time wildlife management coordinator. All Airport Operations officers were trained in mitigation techniques and receive annual training.
- 2013 – The Airport contracted with a qualified airport wildlife biologist and conducted a wildlife hazard assessment.
- 2014 – The Airport received the assessment recommendations and submitted those findings to the FAA for acceptance.
- 2015 – The FAA completed final acceptance of the Airport’s updated assessment.
- 2016 – The FAA approved the Airport’s updated Wildlife Hazard Management Plan, which included changes to the perimeter fence by 2020.
- 2017 – On February 3, the Airport issued a Request for Information (RFI) for Perimeter Fence Enhancements, which will increase the height of the fence to ten feet and include a perimeter intrusion detection
system. Based on current responses the Aviation Department has received to date, we believe CLT will be on the leading edge of emerging best practices for perimeter security.
Currently, the Airport continues to utilize the following measures for Wildlife Hazard Management:
- Habitat modification, including removal of vegetation and other things that attract wildlife.
- Non-lethal and lethal measures, including use of exclusionary devices (non-lethal).
- Daily patrols to disperse any wildlife found on the airfield.
- Use of depredation permits issued at the state and federal level. The Airport follows best management practices and guidelines as required by state and federal government permits.
Officials say the number of deer sightings within the perimeter fence has decreased from 70 in 2011 to 2 in 2016 as a result of these actions.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A plane landed safely at Charlotte Douglas International Airport after hitting a deer during takeoff.
Officials with the FAA say the CRJ 700 aircraft struck the deer on Runway 36 during their departure from the airport shortly before noon.
The PSA Airlines flight was headed to Gulf Port Mississippi but immediately returned to the airport after hitting the deer. No crew members or any of the 44 passengers on the flight were injured. The passengers have exited the aircraft and returned to the terminal.
The fire department is on the scene due to a fuel leak from the plane. No other details are available at this time.
