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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 26, 2008 · Cirrus Design SR20 · N1281

Greenville, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Greenville, MI
Aircraft
Cirrus Design SR20
Tail Number
N1281
Operator
Western Michigan University
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI08CA263

The pilot reported he was planning on making one night touch and go landing. He stated that just as he was rotating on takeoff, he saw a deer run across the runway. In addition, he heard a loud bang and the airplane veered slightly to the left. The pilot stated he was certain he contacted a second deer, but he continued the takeoff as he did not have enough runway left to stop. Once airborne, the pilot was able to see the damage on the left wing. He stated he maintained an additional 10 knots of airspeed and returned to land. The pilot stated the airplane handled "very well" until short final when the left wing dropped and the left main contacted the runway first. He maintained control of the airplane and turned off on a taxiway where he shut down the airplane. The pilot reported he did not see the second deer before it contacted the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The deer that ran onto the runway contacting the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the dark night conditions.

Full Narrative

On August 25, 2008, at 2130 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus SR-20, N1281, operated by Western Michigan University collided with a deer during takeoff from the Greenville Municipal Airport (6D6), Greenville, Michigan. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The solo instructional flight was operating under title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated form Battle Creek, Michigan, at 2100. The pilot reported he flew to 6D6 and was planning on making one night touch and go landing. He stated that just as he was rotating on takeoff, he saw a deer run across the runway. In addition, he heard a loud bang and the airplane veered slightly to the left. The pilot stated he was certain he contacted a second deer, but he continued the takeoff as he did not have enough runway left to stop. Once airborne, the pilot was able to see the damage on the left wing. He stated he maintained an additional 10 knots of airspeed and returned to land at 6D6. The pilot stated the airplane handled "very well" until short final when the left wing dropped and the left main contacted the runway first. He maintained control of the airplane and turned off on a taxiway where he shut down the airplane. The pilot reported he did not see the second deer before it contacted the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftCirrus Design SR20
Tail NumberN1281
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWestern Michigan University
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind70° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 48
Altimeter30.11 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data