Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Total 500
Ground Event / Encounter Person / Animal / Bird
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related
We landed at night without event on an instrument flight plan on runway 30 TAN; but after about 1000 foot post landing roll; a deer was spotted about 5 ft from right wing running into the right wing. A thud was heard as we hit the deer with our right wing. Control of aircraft was maintained at all times. The aircraft remained on the runway centerline until stopped. Damage was noted to second right wing skin and an area of stretched skin as the deer passed under the right wing.After this incident I became concerned about the potential for a significant wildlife problem and resultant flight safety issues at Taunton Airport. After dark on [another evening] I went to look for deer and it took me less than 4 minutes to spot 2 deer at the edge of runway 30. On three occasions since then I was at the airport at night and on each occasion I spotted deer on the airport and runway without actually looking to find them. On two of those occasions they jumped out in front of my car as I was driving on the hangar access road located inside the airport grounds. There is inadequate fencing at TAN with gaps and fencing which is insufficiently high. I believe that TAN; with its present wildlife issues; to be an unsafe airport.
The reporter indicated that he has reported the event and his concerns to several local; industry and government agencies.
Reporter encountered a deer during landing rollout; causing minor damage to his aircraft. He has become concerned over the wildlife program at this airport since he continues to see deer in the area.