The pilot reported that the accident occurred as she was practicing nighttime takeoffs and landings at an airport in Ann Arbor, Mich. During the takeoff roll, as the Piper PA-28-181 was rotating for liftoff, it hit a deer on the runway.
She immediately aborted the takeoff on the remaining runway.
Following the accident a portion of the deer was found wrapped around the nose landing gear.
Further examination revealed substantial damage to the forward fuselage and firewall as result of the collision with the deer.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as a collision with a deer during a night takeoff.
NTSB Identification: CEN15CA013
This October 2014 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I am surprised the Game Wardens didn’t arrest the pilot for illegal hunting and seize the plane as an illegal weapon;-)
PS Don’t try this with moose.
The purpose of a ‘deer fence’ is to confine the critters inside the airport perimeter. She did a great job. Kudos. It’s interesting that this was at a towered airport.
NTSB they nailed it!
Lol, … but perhaps…. what happened to her not seeing the two reflective orbs of “the deer in headlights”. She should get her head out of the cockpit!
Seriously, good on her for keeping it under control and thankfully unhurt.
The NTSB must have had their BEST guy on this one. Thumbs up to the pilot!