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December 20, 2003 · Piper PA-28RT-201T · N69RS

Harrison, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Harrison, AR
Aircraft
Piper PA-28RT-201T
Tail Number
N69RS
Operator
David Franklin Davis
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04LA051

The 8,521-hour commercial pilot reported that he departed on Runway 22, and just after lift off, the aircraft impacted a deer with the right main landing gear. According to the pilot, "deer routinely cross the runway at this spot." Once airborne, the pilot reported some control difficulty and elected to return to the airport. The pilot circled the airport for approximately one hour to burn fuel. Due to the prevailing crosswind, the pilot elected to land at another airport. During the landing roll out, the right gear collapsed. An examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed the landing gear showed no indication of having collided with an object or animal on the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The collapsing of the right main landing gear during the landing roll out as a result of impacting an animal on the runway during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On December 20, 2003, at approximately 1615 central standard time, a Piper PA-28RT-201T single-engine airplane, N69RS, registered to North Star Aviation of Harrison, Arkansas, and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged following a forced landing at the Boone County Airport (HRO), near Harrison, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from Flippin Airport (FLP), near Flippin, Arkansas, at 1500. The 8,521-hour pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he departed from Runway 22 at FLP, and just after lift off, the aircraft impacted a deer with the right main landing gear. According to the pilot, "deer routinely cross the runway at this spot." Once airborne, the pilot reported some control difficulty and elected to return to the airport. The pilot circled the airport for approximately one hour to burn fuel. Due to the prevailing crosswind at FLP, the pilot elected to land at HRO. During the landing roll out, the right main landing gear collapsed, resulting in structural damage to the right wing. To alleviate the problem with deer on the runway, the pilot recommended deer eradication. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the landing gear showed no indication of a collision with an object or animal on the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 CST
Nearest AirportBoone County Airport (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length6161 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28RT-201T
Tail NumberN69RS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid Franklin Davis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-FB · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 21 C
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data