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

October 29, 1997 · Learjet 35A · N62MB

Sheboygan, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Sheboygan, WI
Aircraft
Learjet 35A
Tail Number
N62MB
Operator
West Bend Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA026

The airplane had just reached its rotation speed during takeoff, when a deer '...bolted across the front of the aircraft from right to left...' striking the left wing. The pilot said he had to use full right aileron and rudder to keep the airplane level until it reached a low cruise speed. The middle third of the left wing's leading edge was crushed aft. The pilot continued the flight to a larger airport and landed without further incident. The departure runway (where the accident occurred) was located between 2-wooded areas that were about 600 and 1,100-feet from its edge. The airport did not have a perimeter fence around it that would prevent deer from entering the runway environment. The Federal Aviation Administration, in concert with the accident airport's state and county authorities have agreed to install a perimeter fence that is designed to keep deer from straying onto the airport property.

NTSB Probable Cause

a deer that ran in front of the airplane during the takeoff phase. A factor in this accident was the lack of an airport perimeter fence to prevent deer from getting onto the runway.

Full Narrative

On October 29, 1997, at 1200 central standard time (cst), a Lear 35A, N62MB, piloted by an airline transport-rated crew, was substantially damaged when its left wing collided with a deer during takeoff from runway 03 (5,399' X 100' dry concrete) at the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 135 passenger flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight crew and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight was departing from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, at 1200 cst. According to the pilot, the airplane collided with a deer that "...bolted across the front of the aircraft from right to left..." as the airplane reached its rotational speed for liftoff. He said the left wing struck the deer "...about 2/3 of the way outboard of the wing very near the stall fence." The pilot said they climbed the airplane slowly, noting "...it took full right aileron and almost full right rudder to keep the aircraft level. As we accelerated the control forces required reduced rapidly." The pilot said he accelerated the airplane to 200 knots and it "...flew well... ." According to the pilot, there was "...some vibration..." during the cruise portion of the flight. He said that about 1/4 right aileron was required to keep the airplane level. The pilot said he decided to fly the airplane to General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, because it had longer runways and "...excellent rescue equipment." N62MB was landed on runway 25L (8,011' X 150' dry concrete) at General Mitchell Airport "...without incident...," according to the pilot. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the middle-third of the left wing's leading edge was crushed aft about 3 to 4-inches. The wing fence's forward section was wrinkled to its mid-span location. The wing skin next to the leading edge damage was wrinkled to about the mid-chord area. During an interview with the airport manager (manager) it was revealed that N62MB collided with the deer about 2/3rds the way down runway 03. He said that portion of the runway is located between two wooded areas. The wooded area west of the collision point is about 1,100 feet from the runway. The wooded area east of the collision point is about 600 feet from the runway. The manager stated the deer was going from the east wooded area to the west wooded area via the clearway and runway environment. The manager said in addition to the wooded areas close to the runways, there are also wetlands and farm fields immediately adjacent to the airport property. The farm fields are usually planted with corn, soy beans and wheat, according to the manager. The manager said the airport does not have a perimeter fence to prevent deer and wild turkeys from entering the airport property. He said the county board has petitioned state aviation authorities for funding assistance to install a fence in the past. The funding has not been available for such a project, according to the manager. The manager said a fence project involving the installation of a 12-foot high fence would cost about $400,000.00. At the conclusion of discussions with the Federal Aviation Administration Airport District Office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics in Madison, Wisconsin, and the airport manager the installation of the deer fence at the airport has been approved and should be installed by Fall 1998.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CST
Nearest AirportSheboygan County Muni (0nm)
Runway3
Runway Length5399 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLearjet 35A
Tail NumberN62MB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWest Bend Air
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE-731-2-2B · Turbofan · 3500
Seats10

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 55 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data