UPDATED: No Injuries After Aircraft Hits Deer at East Hampton Airport

There were no injuries when a small aircraft carrying four people hit a deer during landing on the runway at East Hampton Airport Friday night, airport officials said.

The six-seat Cessna 340 collided with the deer on the south side of the runway at about 8:30 p.m. and veered off to the left of the runway, according to Jim Brundige, East Hampton Airport manager. The plane began leaking fuel when the nose collapsed, and airport emergency vehicles were dispatched to control the scene, he said.

The incident closed the airport for about three hours, from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Brundige said.

The plane was carrying a pilot, passenger and two children, who all left the crash unharmed, according to East Hampton Town Supervisor Bill Wilkinson, who arrived at the scene later that night to survey the damage.

The East Hampton Fire Department responded immediately, and assisted in removing the dead deer from the runway, Brundige said.

This is the fourth deer incident in seven years, according to Brundige. The newest incident had caused the worst damage, he said.

"Deer is certainly a problem, it's something we address on a regular basis," Brundige said. "We have a deer [hunting] program … we have notices to airmen … and we have deer fence, but they still manage to get on the property."

Brundige said airport officials also conduct frequent deer sweeps, particularly in the evenings.

Town Supervisor Wilkinson said the town together with the airport will look at current safety protocol to decide if more measures should take place.

"You can't afford not to have takeaway from one of these things," Wilkinson said.

The incident is not expected to alter plans for the Music to Know festival, taking place next week on airport grounds.

With additional reporting by Taylor Vecsey.

Check back with Patch as this story develops.