Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

April 20, 1994 · Cessna 150A · N7044X

Angola, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Angola, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 150A
Tail Number
N7044X
Operator
James H Renkenberger
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA136

The pilot reported he felt an impact during landing roll, and later discovered the airplane had collided with a deer. He said it was a dark night and he did not see the animal. The following morning, an 80 pound white tail deer was discovered dead beside the runway. A representative of a local FBO stated the airport was actively participating in a deer depredation program in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

NTSB Probable Cause

the on ground collision of the airplane with a deer. A factor was the dark night.

Full Narrative

On April 19, 1994, at 2230 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150A airplane, N7044X, sustained substantial damage while landing in Angola, Indiana. The solo commercial pilot received no injuries. The personal flight originated at 2215 in Kendallville, Indiana and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot stated he landed uneventfully on runway 23. During the landing roll, about 1000 feet down the runway, the aircraft was struck by a deer. He stated it was a dark night and he did not see the deer but felt the collision. He stopped the aircraft and discovered substantial damage to the outboard leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer. The fuselage just forward of the empennage was buckled on the right and a rivet line was separated on the left side. The following morning an 80 pound male deer was discovered dead on the edge of the runway. A representative of Tri-State Airways, a local fixed base operator, stated the animal had a broken back. During a telephone interview, William Eyster of Tri-State Airways stated the airport is enclosed by a "farm fence" which is four feet tall and topped with a strand of barbed wire. He said three sides of the airport are wooded areas and deer are often discovered on the airport. He stated the airport possessed a depredation permit issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and removed 8 to 10 deer per year from the premises. Additionally, the wooded areas are being reduced to minimize the habitat. Eldra Van Hoey, the District Wildlife Biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, reported he worked closely with local airports in an effort to control the deer hazard. He said the animal was probably a young white tail deer and a 10 foot fence is required to contain them.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:30 EDT
Nearest AirportTri-State Steuben County (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150A
Tail NumberN7044X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames H Renkenberger
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data