Alaska Airlines jet hits deer on runway in Kodiak

This recording captures a wildlife strike involving a commercial jet at Kodiak Airport (ADQ), an environment known for its challenging weather and proximity to Alaskan wilderness. The incident occurs during the landing phase of Alaska Airlines flight 231. After the aircraft touches down, the controller—who likely saw the deer on his monitors or via binoculars—asks the pilot if they managed to "dodge" the animals. The pilot's confirmation that they "got one" indicates a high-speed impact during the rollout.

The exchange highlights a critical safety challenge: the "go-around" decision point. The pilot explicitly mentions that it was "too late to go around," meaning the aircraft had already decelerated past a point where safely becoming airborne again was feasible, or the deer appeared so late in the landing roll that braking was the only option. The controller acknowledges the difficulty of spotting wildlife, citing tall grass near the runway as a factor that obscured the animals from view.

From a technical standpoint, the strike occurred at the intersection of Runway 11 and Runway 26. This is a significant operational hurdle, as a strike at an intersection often requires the closure of both runways until the "FOD" (Foreign Object Debris) and animal remains are cleared. The ground crew (Kodiak 3) takes immediate action to coordinate with "K-9" (likely a wildlife or security unit) to clean the site.

While wildlife strikes are a routine part of aviation, strikes involving large mammals like deer are significantly more dangerous than bird strikes. They can cause substantial damage to the landing gear, engine cowlings, or the fuselage. The calm demeanor of both the pilot and the controller reflects the professional, routine handling of what could have been a much more serious mechanical emergency had the deer been ingested into an engine.