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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.

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April 8, 2002 · Beech BE-23 · N2375Z

Louisa, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Louisa, VA
Aircraft
Beech BE-23
Tail Number
N2375Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC02LA081

While landing at night, a deer struck the right side of the airplane which buckled the fuselage and substantially damaged the horizontal stabilizer.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane's inadvertent collision with a deer while landing at night. A factor in the accident was the night condition.

Full Narrative

On April 7, 2002, about 2130 eastern daylight time, a Beech BE-23, N2375Z, was substantially damaged while landing at the Louisa County/Freeman Field Airport (LKU), Louisa, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated from Hummel Field Airport, Saluda, Virginia. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the airplane was landing on runway 9, a 4,301-foot long, 100-foot wide, asphalt runway. During the landing roll the pilot noticed a deer in the distance, and when the airplane was approximately 5 feet above the runway a deer struck the right side of the airplane. The pilot executed a "go-around," and noticed he had limited movement of the yoke due a "jammed" stabilator; however, the pilot landed without further incident. An examination of the airplane revealed a buckled fuselage, and a substantially damaged stabilator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 EDT
Nearest AirportLouisa County/Freeman Field (0nm)
Runway09
Runway Length4301 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech BE-23
Tail NumberN2375Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · L-5257-39 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind170° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 27 C
Altimeter30.34 inHg
Observation Time01:12
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data