Narrative:

It is my opinion that the airport owner is negligent to not warn pilots via NOTAM that the following risks are present at the airport: FOD and wildlife on the runways. Presidio county participates in the airport improvement program and there are obligations. A pilot shared with me the damage he has received from FOD to his tow plane prop and his glider(s). I was sent an email disclosing to me the presence of antelope on the airport. Were the presidio county airport board the responsible authority; led by experienced airmen; the short term solution would be obvious: NOTAM. A few days later I inspected the runways and observed antelope crossing runway 13/31 as well as the FOD (asphalt debris mostly; from the deteriorating airport surface) previously identified; this despite being swept once. This spring there was a serious fire that took out the western fences of the airport property. Antelope have new access to the airport that has not existed before. NOTAMS by definition are short term 'notices to airmen.' there is no construct that would rationally exclude publication of a NOTAM revealing these two hazards (FOD and wildlife) to airmen. Three days ago I departed mrf and on departure roll at least one antelope crossed the runway in front of me. If the fences have 'been repaired' case closed that certainly does not work for me. I point out to you that marfa has fairly large business jet aircraft using the facility that could experience cataclysmic damage from FOD on takeoff. I can't stand the prop nicks and don't want to hit wildlife on the runway. More importantly I don't want to see the airport lose any aircraft or flyers to a pair of well identified problems. I had this discussion with a pilot of over 50 years; similar experience background; based at mrf; we both have seen the damage FOD can cause to low thrust low wing loaded aircraft at high density altitude. I'm encouraging the pilots that use the airport to contact you about this until there is a resolution; to include the courtesy of an explanation. I have seldom seen such a flagrant disregard for the safety of fellow aviators as the presidio county decision maker responsible for the airport; demonstrates in this case. The decision making process does not include pride of authorship and the hubris of ownership. Something is wrong at the marfa airport. I regret that it is necessary to involve your office. I trust you will give this a fair and complete examination regardless your familiarity with the people involved.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A MRF based pilot described the antelope allowed onto the runways after fences were destroyed by fire and the FOD from deteriorating runway condition damaging aircraft. There is no NOTAM alerting pilots about the airport's conditions.

Narrative: It is my opinion that the airport owner is negligent to not warn pilots via NOTAM that the following risks are present at the airport: FOD and wildlife on the runways. Presidio County participates in the Airport Improvement Program and there are obligations. A pilot shared with me the damage he has received from FOD to his tow plane prop and his glider(s). I was sent an email disclosing to me the presence of antelope on the airport. Were the Presidio County Airport Board the responsible authority; led by experienced airmen; the short term solution would be obvious: NOTAM. A few days later I inspected the runways and observed antelope crossing Runway 13/31 as well as the FOD (asphalt debris mostly; from the deteriorating airport surface) previously identified; this despite being swept once. This spring there was a serious fire that took out the western fences of the airport property. Antelope have new access to the airport that has not existed before. NOTAMS by definition are short term 'notices to airmen.' There is no construct that would rationally exclude publication of a NOTAM revealing these two hazards (FOD and wildlife) to airmen. Three days ago I departed MRF and on departure roll at least one antelope crossed the runway in front of me. If the fences have 'been repaired' case closed that certainly does not work for me. I point out to you that Marfa has fairly large business jet aircraft using the facility that could experience cataclysmic damage from FOD on takeoff. I can't stand the prop nicks and don't want to hit wildlife on the runway. More importantly I don't want to see the airport lose any aircraft or flyers to a pair of well identified problems. I had this discussion with a pilot of over 50 years; similar experience background; based at MRF; we both have seen the damage FOD can cause to low thrust low wing loaded aircraft at high density altitude. I'm encouraging the pilots that use the airport to contact you about this until there is a resolution; to include the courtesy of an explanation. I have seldom seen such a flagrant disregard for the safety of fellow aviators as the Presidio County decision maker responsible for the airport; demonstrates in this case. The decision making process does not include pride of authorship and the hubris of ownership. Something is wrong at the Marfa Airport. I regret that it is necessary to involve your office. I trust you will give this a fair and complete examination regardless your familiarity with the people involved.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.