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Finding a Deer in the Headlights

An evening outing turned into a near miss for a Seattle-area pilot.

[Credit: Joel Kimmel]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot refreshing their night currency discovered significant rustiness in instrument flying skills, highlighting the importance of preparation and practice.
  • During night operations at Jefferson County International Airport (0S9), the pilot experienced a critical near-miss when a deer ran onto the runway during takeoff, necessitating an emergency stop just feet away.
  • This dangerous wildlife encounter underscored the heightened risks of night flying, particularly at uncontrolled airports in wooded areas, leading the pilot to decide against future night flights to such locations.
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Out in the Seattle area, it doesn’t get dark until late during the summer months, so if you want to be night current, it requires staying up pretty late. It was a little easier on September 8 a couple of years ago, with sunset happening around 7:30-ish and “night” falling an hour later… still late for an early riser like me.

Since I was planning a flight the following week during the day from Paine Field (KPAE) in Everett, Washington, to Jefferson County International Airport (0S9) to take a taxi into Port Townsend, then fly back to Paine after dark, I needed to get night current. Having not flown at night much over the last couple of years, I thought that I would prepare in advance.

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